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An Air India passenger was apprehended while attempting to smuggle gold valued at ₹20 lakh into India. 
Officials from Delhi Customs confiscated 170 grams of the precious metal, which the individual had cleverly hidden inside the cap of a plastic water bottle.

According to the news agency ANI, the Air India passenger had arrived at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport from Dubai on October 25.

The passenger attempted to proceed through the green channel, a designated pathway intended for travellers who have no items to declare to customs authorities, indicating they are not in possession of any dutiable or prohibited goods. Nevertheless, this specific individual was monitored unobtrusively starting from the flight gate and was stopped by officials as he tried to navigate through the green channel.

 

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“The passenger was discreetly followed from the flight gate and intercepted while attempting to exit through the green channel. During the X-ray screening of his baggage, officers noticed "suspicious images,” as reported by national media.

An in-depth inspection of his belongings uncovered gold that had been concealed beneath the cap of his water bottle. The passenger was found to be carrying 170 grams of gold, which, based on the prevailing gold prices at the time, was estimated to be worth approximately ₹20 lakh.

 

“Upon detailed examination, a gold round was ingeniously concealed under the cap of a plastic bottle. The recovered gold, weighing 170 grams, was seized under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962. Further investigation into the matter is underway, as reported by national media.

This event took place just one day following a separate incident involving an attempted gold smuggling operation. On October 24, officials from Delhi Customs at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport detained a female passenger who had arrived from Yangon, Myanmar, aboard a Myanmar Airways International flight.

A comprehensive search of her luggage led to the discovery of six gold bars, with a combined weight of 997.5 grams.

 

Also Read: Customs recovers over 5 kg gold at Delhi airport