A Gujarat-based tour operator has been arrested by Customs officials for allegedly orchestrating the smuggling of gold worth over ₹1.13 crore into India by using passengers arriving from Abu Dhabi through Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport.
According to an official statement issued by Ahmedabad Customs, officers of the Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) acted on specific intelligence inputs and intercepted the tour operator along with two passengers who had arrived from Abu Dhabi on Flight 3L111 on Tuesday.
During the search, Customs officers recovered gold chains, pendants, and beads weighing a total of 770.33 grams. The gold articles were allegedly concealed inside the pockets of the passengers in an attempt to evade Customs detection.
The seized gold has been valued at ₹1,13,85,477. Customs authorities confiscated the contraband under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962.
During interrogation, the intercepted passengers reportedly disclosed that the tour operator, identified as Pankaj Patel, had allegedly handed over the gold items to them while they were in Abu Dhabi. The passengers further claimed that they had been instructed to carry the gold into India without declaring it to Customs authorities.
Based on the statements recorded and the evidence collected during the investigation, Customs officials arrested the tour operator for his alleged involvement in the smuggling operation.
The Air Intelligence Unit has launched a detailed investigation to ascertain whether the accused was part of a larger gold smuggling network operating through international flight routes. Authorities are also examining the financial trail and possible links with other individuals involved in the alleged racket.
Customs officials reiterated that intelligence-based operations at international airports remain a key component of their strategy to curb cross-border smuggling and ensure strict enforcement of customs laws.
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