In the last 28 days, the Mumbai Airport Customs have seized smuggled gold valued at more than Rs 30 crore in multiple cases. In the last two days, gold worth Rs 1.20 crore was seized in three different cases.
According to Customs, in the first case, a woman was intercepted with two pieces of gold dust in wax form having a net weight of 505 grams valued at Rs32.94 lakh. The passenger had kept the gold dust in wax under rectum concealment, agency sources said.
In the second case on Saturday, a United States-based woman was intercepted and seven gold melted bars having a net weight of 1.173kg valued at Rs70.15 lakh had been seized. The goods were concealed in her handbag. On Saturday, a Kenyan national woman was intercepted and two gold melted bars having a net weight of 286 grams valued at Rs17.10 lakh were seized. The goods were concealed in the underwear worn by the passenger, officials said.
“Even though we make all possible efforts to thwart smuggling bids, the number of people that get caught is much less. This is mainly because several flights from different countries arrive and depart from the airport daily and lakhs of passengers travel daily,” said a Customs officer.
Customs Officer Details Challenges In Thwarting Gold Smuggling
The official also said that carriers use innovative ways to smuggle gold making it further difficult for the officials to identify and nab them. “In many cases, we have seen that carriers smuggle gold into the rectum by concealing gold in capsule packets. The gold is also smuggled in wax and dust form to avoid being caught,” said the official.
