Customs officials seized gold biscuits worth Rs 4.27 crore from an aircraft toilet at Ahmedabad Airport. The discovery followed a detailed inspection of an IndiGo flight arriving from Dubai. Authorities described the operation as a sophisticated smuggling attempt. The seizure prevented the suspected consignment from reaching its intended recipients.
Customs Uncover Hidden Gold During Inspection
According to reports, customs officials acted on specific intelligence before inspecting IndiGo flight 6E-1478. Aircraft engineers assisted authorities during the detailed examination of the plane. Consequently, officials searched several concealed compartments inside the aircraft.
During the inspection, officers found two black plastic-wrapped pouches hidden inside a speaker box. The speaker unit was located in the aircraft’s front toilet. Further examination revealed 24 foreign-origin gold biscuits with 999.0 purity. The recovered gold weighed a total of 2,799.3 grams.
Investigation Continues After Smuggling Bid Fails
Authorities estimated the domestic value of the seized gold at more than Rs 4.26 crore. Investigators believe smugglers intended to retrieve the hidden gold after the aircraft landed. Officials suspect either a passenger or ground staff member planned to collect the consignment.
However, heightened security and timely inspections reportedly disrupted the alleged smuggling operation. As a result, no individual came forward to claim the gold. Customs authorities have launched further investigations to identify those involved in the attempted smuggling network.
