The Air Intelligence Unit of Customs at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru has intercepted and seized gold items worth over Rs 52 lakh from three passengers arriving on different international flights during the night of June 24 and 25. The total weight of the seized gold amounts to 731.5 grams, all concealed within their clothing.
According to customs officials, the first seizure involved a male passenger from Vellore, Tamil Nadu, arriving from Bangkok on Thai Lion Airlines flight SL 216. During a spot physical search, customs officers discovered three gold biscuits and one small gold patti hidden on his person, weighing a total of 315 grams and valued at Rs 22.49 lakh.
In the second incident, a woman from Bengaluru, arriving from Dubai on Indigo flight 6E 1486, was found concealing one gold chain and four bangles weighing 300 grams. Customs officials detected these items through profiling and body searches, estimating their value at Rs 21,20,400.
The third case involved a passenger from Shivamogga who attempted to smuggle a 116.5-gram gold biscuit, valued at Rs 8.31 lakh, concealed in the pocket of his pants. He arrived from Sharjah on an Indigo Arabia flight to Bengaluru.
All three individuals have been arrested, and the seized gold has been confiscated as per customs regulations. The Air Intelligence Unit continues to maintain vigilance to prevent illegal smuggling activities at the airport.
