The Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) of Ahmedabad Customs made a significant arrest on August 9. A passenger was caught trying to smuggle over 750 grams of gold by hiding it in his socks. The gold, with a market value of ₹78.29 lakh, was seized under the Customs Act, 1962.
The incident unfolded at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport. AIU officers had been profiling passengers arriving from Dubai, a known high-risk destination for smuggling. They identified a male traveller arriving on a SpiceJet flight and deemed him suspicious. Upon inspection, officers discovered six gold TT bars and three pieces of 24-carat gold hidden in the man’s socks.
A senior officer from AIU explained, “The gold was of 24-carat purity. This kind of concealment is often used by smugglers to avoid detection.” The total weight of the gold was 750.7 grams, indicating a clever but risky method of smuggling.
Following the discovery, Customs officials arrested the passenger. They are now investigating whether he was part of a larger smuggling operation. Investigators are working to trace the gold’s origin in Dubai and its intended recipient in India.
This incident is part of a growing trend. In recent months, Ahmedabad Customs has increased passenger profiling and targeted checks on flights from Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah. The officials are trained to identify suspicious patterns and behaviours. This expertise has led to several successful detections of smuggled goods.
The use of socks to conceal gold is not new. Smugglers often use creative methods to bypass security checks. In this case, the passenger’s attempt to hide the gold in his socks was ultimately unsuccessful.
In another recent case, Customs at Surat International Airport seized a massive 24.827 kilograms of gold, valued at ₹25.57 crore. This seizure was made on July 20, when two passengers arriving from Dubai were caught with gold hidden in their clothing and personal items. These incidents highlight the ongoing issue of gold smuggling in the region.
Authorities are urging the public to report any suspicious activities at airports. They emphasise that smuggling poses a risk not only to the economy but also to national security. The accused in the latest case remains in custody as the investigation continues.
Ahmedabad Customs has a clear mandate to protect the nation’s borders. By enhancing their profiling techniques and surveillance, they aim to deter future smuggling attempts. The commitment to identifying and apprehending smugglers is strong, and officials are determined to reduce the prevalence of such incidents.
As investigations progress, the AIU is hopeful that they will uncover more details about the smuggling network. The fight against smuggling is ongoing, and the authorities are prepared to take strict action against those who violate customs laws.