An Air India passenger was caught trying to smuggle gold worth approximately ₹20 lakh into India. Delhi Customs officials seized 170 grams of gold, which the passenger had ingeniously hidden inside the cap of a plastic water bottle.
The passenger arrived at Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi, from Dubai on October 25. He attempted to pass through the green channel, which is reserved for travelers who have nothing to declare to customs and are not carrying any dutiable or prohibited goods.
However, customs officials were keeping a discreet watch on the passenger from the flight gate. During X-ray screening of his luggage, they noticed suspicious images. A thorough examination of his belongings revealed the gold carefully concealed under the cap of a water bottle.
According to officials, the recovered gold, weighing 170 grams, was seized under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962. Authorities have confirmed that further investigation is underway to understand the full details of the smuggling attempt, including whether the passenger was part of a larger operation.
Customs officials noted that attempts to smuggle gold through the green channel are illegal and carry severe penalties. This incident highlights the vigilance of airport security and customs authorities in detecting and preventing illegal imports.
