Gold Paste Seized at Airport
Customs officials at Hyderabad's Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Shamshabad seized 2.271 kilograms of 24-carat gold worth approximately ₹3.36 crore from two passengers who arrived from Kuala Lumpur. The seizure was made during a routine inspection conducted by airport customs authorities.
According to officials, the accused had allegedly concealed the gold in paste form inside specially designed pouches tied around their waists beneath their trousers in an attempt to evade customs checks. The suspicious movement of the passengers prompted officials to carry out a detailed examination, leading to the recovery of the concealed gold.
The seized gold was confiscated under the provisions of the Customs Act, and both passengers were taken into custody for further questioning. A case has been registered, and customs officials have launched an investigation to determine whether the accused were part of a larger gold smuggling network operating through international flight routes.
Officials said the operation highlights the continued vigilance of customs personnel in preventing illegal import of precious metals through airports. They reiterated that surveillance at international airports has been intensified to detect innovative smuggling methods and curb organised smuggling activities. Further investigation is underway to identify the source and intended destination of the seized gold.
