Ahmedabad Customs has once again foiled an attempt to smuggle gold into India, with officers of the Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) seizing 129.18 grams of 24-karat gold, valued at approximately ₹19.48 lakh, from two passengers arriving from Dubai. The gold had been ingeniously concealed in paste form inside the collars of their shirts, highlighting the increasingly innovative methods adopted by smugglers to evade customs checks.
The seizure was made on 22 July 2026, when AIU officers at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, Ahmedabad, intercepted the two passengers based on intelligence and risk assessment. During a detailed examination of their baggage and personal belongings, officials noticed suspicious modifications in the shirt collars worn by the passengers.
Buy Now: Customs Duty Judgements E-Compilation – June 2026
Upon closer inspection, customs officers recovered gold paste concealed inside the collars. The paste was subsequently processed, leading to the extraction of 129.18 grams of 24K gold, with an estimated market value of ₹19.48 lakh.
The recovered gold has been seized under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962, as authorities suspect it was being smuggled into the country in violation of customs laws. Officials are now investigating the source of the gold, the intended recipients, and whether the passengers were acting on behalf of an organised smuggling syndicate.
Gold smuggling through airports continues to remain a significant enforcement challenge for customs authorities. Smugglers have increasingly resorted to unconventional concealment techniques, including hiding gold in clothing, footwear, electronic gadgets, body cavities, and converting it into paste or chemical form to escape detection during routine screening.
The latest seizure underscores the vigilance of Ahmedabad Customs’ Air Intelligence Unit in identifying sophisticated concealment methods and preventing the illegal import of precious metals into the country. Authorities stated that further investigation is underway to uncover the broader network involved in the attempted smuggling operation.
The seizure adds to a series of recent anti-smuggling operations by Customs formations across India, reflecting intensified surveillance and intelligence-driven enforcement at international airports amid persistent attempts to illegally bring gold into the country.
Read More: Mumbai Customs Seizes Gold, Hydroponic Weed, E-cigarettes ; 19 Arrested
