New Delhi, July 17, 2024 — An Air India passenger was apprehended at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport for attempting to smuggle gold worth ₹69 lakh. The passenger’s unusual behavior during flight AI 992 from Jeddah to Delhi raised suspicions, leading to his eventual arrest.
According to a report from News18, the unnamed passenger repeatedly refused all refreshments offered during the five-and-a-half-hour flight. He declined water and all other food and drinks provided by the flight attendants. His refusal to partake in any refreshments aroused the suspicions of the flight crew.
Concerned about the passenger’s behavior, the flight attendant informed the captain, who then alerted security agencies via Air Traffic Control. Upon landing in Delhi, security personnel closely monitored the suspect as he attempted to pass through the Green Customs Clearance Channel. He was stopped for questioning.
During the interrogation, the passenger confessed to concealing gold in his rectum. The gold, valued at over ₹69 lakh, was hidden in four oval capsules. Joint Commissioner (Customs) Monika Yadav confirmed that approximately 1096.76 grams of gold were recovered from the passenger. He was arrested under relevant sections of the Customs Act after admitting to smuggling the gold from Jeddah. An investigation into the incident has been launched.
This incident has prompted cabin crew members to be instructed to pay closer attention to passengers who refuse all food and drinks on long flights, as this behavior could indicate an attempt to smuggle contraband in their bodies.
Earlier this year, a similar case at Chennai airport revealed a souvenir shop being used as a front for a Sri Lankan gold smuggling syndicate. The shop’s owner, a YouTuber named Mohammed Sabir Ali, was arrested for helping the syndicate smuggle 267 kg of gold worth ₹167 crore over two months.
The Delhi airport incident underscores the ongoing challenges customs and security agencies face in combating gold smuggling. Authorities remain vigilant and are employing stringent measures to curb such illegal activities.
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