In a seizure at Tiruchi International Airport, Customs Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) officers confiscated 2,291 grams of gold jewellery, valued at ₹1.53 crore, from a female passenger.
The woman, an Indian national, had arrived from Kuala Lumpur on an AirAsia flight late Monday night.
As per a report in The Hindu, AIU officers acted on specific intelligence to intercept the passenger attempting to smuggle the gold without declaring it to Customs.
The seized jewellery comprised 24-karat and 22-karat gold pieces, indicating a deliberate attempt to evade customs duty.
According to the report, customs sources revealed that upon examining the passenger’s passport, it was determined that she was not eligible to import gold.
The woman was subsequently arrested and remanded to judicial custody.
The report added that this incident underscores the ongoing challenges customs officials face in combating gold smuggling attempts at Indian airports.
The high-value seizure also reflects the sophisticated methods employed by smugglers to circumvent customs regulations.
Authorities have initiated a further investigation into the matter, which may shed light on potential broader smuggling networks or operations.
The case reminds us of the vigilance required at international airports to prevent illegal gold imports and protect national economic interests.
