Smuggling racket at Surat Airport: Rs 25 crore gold seized, 4 including airport official arrested

In one of biggest gold seizures at an airport in recent times, the officials of Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) seized 48.20 kg of gold paste at Surat International Airport. The seizure was as part of ‘Operation Goldmine’ in which four persons, including three passengers were arrested.

 What is more surprising is the fact that an official of the airport is involved in the racket. Further investigation to find out involvement of other persons including officials at the airport is being carried out.

How the Seizure was Made?

On July 7, the officers of DRI intercepted three passengers who arrived from Sharjah by Air India Express Flight No. IX172 at Surat International Airport. The passengers were intercepted based on intelligence input over carrying gold in paste form. Examination of their hand baggage and check-in baggage was carried out and 43.5 kg of gold in paste form was found concealed in 20 white colour packets hidden in five black belts.

What the Passengers Said

Passengers revealed that the gold was concealed for smuggling into India with the help of officials posted at the Surat International Airport. The exchange of gold was planned to be done in a toilet located before the immigration to evade screening and examination by authorities. Subsequent actions resulted in further recovery of 4.67 kg of gold in paste form, found abandoned in the men’s washroom adjacent to the immigration checkpoint, which was handed over by CISF to DRI.

Total Value of Gold Seizure

A total of 48.20 kg gold paste recovered from the passengers was subjected to extraction, and more than 42 kg of gold (purity 99%) worth Rs 25.26 crore approximately has been recovered.

(With PIB Inputs)