Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) has come under the spotlight for a surge in gold smuggling cases, emerging as the sixth busiest airport in India for gold seizures, according to the latest figures released by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC).
While Bengaluru has witnessed sharp growth in gold smuggling activity over the past two years, recent trends show a marginal dip. Still, the city’s airport remains one of the major gateways for the illicit inflow of gold, driven primarily by passengers arriving from Gulf nations.
Bengaluru’s Rising Gold Seizures
According to data presented in the Rajya Sabha, customs officials at Kempegowda International Airport seized:
- 105.6 kg of gold in 2021-22
- 192.49 kg in 2022-23 — an 82% year-on-year increase
- 174.91 kg in 2023-24, showing a 9% decline from the previous year
Despite the slight fall in 2023-24, Bengaluru’s overall seizures were 65% higher than in 2021-22, indicating a sustained rise in smuggling activity. Officials attribute this to a combination of increased international connectivity, especially to Middle Eastern countries, and sophisticated concealment methods used by smugglers.
Smugglers have been caught hiding gold in electronic devices, baggage linings, food packets, and even within clothing seams, making detection increasingly challenging.
Karnataka and Kerala: The Southern Smuggling Corridor
Apart from Bengaluru, Mangaluru International Airport and Kannur Airport (which serves northern Kerala but is close to the Karnataka border) have also recorded notable gold seizures.
- Mangaluru Airport seized 30.57 kg of gold in 2023-24
- Kannur Airport accounted for 62.66 kg during the same period
Though these figures are far lower than Bengaluru’s, officials say their proximity to Kerala and limited international flight operations explain the smaller volumes.
At the national level, Bengaluru’s 174.91 kg ranks it sixth, behind:
- Mumbai – 1,091.3 kg
- Delhi – 474.21 kg
- Chennai – 409.24 kg
- Calicut (Kozhikode) – 303.57 kg
- Cochin – 195.97 kg
Other southern airports such as Trichy (54.38 kg) and Mangaluru (30.57 kg) fall much lower in comparison.
This data underscores the dominance of Kerala’s airports — Calicut, Cochin, and Kannur — in the national smuggling network. The Gulf–Kerala corridor remains a high-risk route, primarily due to the large volume of expatriate traffic and the lucrative price differentials between India and the Middle East.
Enhanced Enforcement and Vigilance
Customs authorities have intensified surveillance and enforcement across major airports, including Bengaluru. The department has installed advanced scanning systems, enhanced intelligence-based targeting of passengers, and increased coordination with airlines to detect suspicious travel patterns.
A senior customs official noted that profiling high-risk passengers based on travel frequency, routes, and payment methods has led to the interception of several high-value smuggling attempts in recent months.
Additionally, real-time intelligence sharing between customs, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), and airport security agencies has been instrumental in uncovering coordinated smuggling networks that span multiple airports.
Policy and Economic Context
Experts believe that persistent gold smuggling reflects India’s high import duties on gold, which currently stand at 15%, incentivizing illicit inflows. While the government aims to curb smuggling through stricter border control and digital monitoring, economic factors — such as rising domestic demand for gold and volatile global prices — continue to drive underground trade.
Economist and trade analyst Dr. Suresh Menon commented, “Unless the duty structure is rationalized or domestic recycling becomes more attractive, smuggling will remain a profitable enterprise. Enforcement alone cannot eliminate it.”
Read More: Madras High Court Allows Re-Export of Seized Textile Goods Subject To These Conditions on Importer
