From melting gold to creatively hiding it in their bodies, smugglers can go to any extent to transport the precious metal illicitly. One common technique involves melting gold into liquid form to eliminate any identifying marks that could link it back to its source. Recent incidents have even seen smugglers concealing gold in their undergarments or creating a paste from gold to evade authorities.
However, these inventive attempts frequently come to an end at airports, where customs officials and trained authorities foil their tactics. According to a media report, the customs department and the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International (SVPIA) Airport intercepted multiple passengers arriving from Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and Sharjah.
The report claimed that authorities discovered a suspicious mixer box with unusually heavy jars following specific intelligence. Upon closer examination, they found that the jars were lined with gold paste hidden beneath a metal cover. In two additional cases, passengers were found with capsules containing gold worth Rs 82 lakh concealed in their body cavities.
This operation reflects a broader trend of increasing smuggling attempts at the airport over the past year. In 2024 alone, the DRI seized over 93 kg of gold valued at more than Rs 66 crore across the airports in Ahmedabad and Surat, with the customs department’s seizures also contributing to this total. One particularly notable bust involved smugglers concealing gold inside an air compressor, where the internal piston had been filled with gold paste, leading to a recovery of gold worth Rs 2.3 crore.
Smuggling rings continuously evolve their strategies, as demonstrated by a significant bust in May 2024. A racket functioning from Tamil Nadu attempted to smuggle 10.3 kg of gold, valued at Rs 7.75 crore, by lining clothing items, including undergarments, with gold paste.
Authorities have credited the interceptions to a combination of human intelligence and the vigilance of airport staff. In some instances, airport ground staff have played a crucial role in uncovering gold bars hidden in toilets near the arrivals area. Enhanced surveillance on known smuggling routes and careful observation of suspects’ body language during checks have also been instrumental in thwarting these illicit operations.
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