Ahmedabad: The Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) of the customs department at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (SVPIA) on Tuesday arrested a passenger arriving from Sharjah and seized 495g of 24-karat gold worth Rs 72.3 lakh which he had concealed inside a trolley bag.According to a release issued by the customs department, the AIU intercepted the passenger based on profiling and checked his check-in baggage. “During x-ray screening, a suspicious image was noticed. On detailed examination, an additional layer/patch was found inside the trolley bag. The trolley bag was opened for examination, and the inner plastic layer was removed. On further examination, a very thin, black-coloured plastic sheet was found pasted on the inner side of the layer,” the release stated.
Gold seizure at Ahmedabad airport
Officials said gold paste had been thinly spread between the two layers of plastic sheets covering the entire length of the bag. “The concealed gold paste was carefully extracted and melted, resulting in the recovery of 495.04g of 24-karat gold, having a market value of Rs 72.3 lakh,” the release stated.Investigators identified the flyer as a resident of Anand district. “It is believed that one of his close relatives was associated in bringing the gold on the airport illegally. The modus operandi used in the case is new, and adds to the increasing trend of first-time flyers caught with concealed precious metal in their baggage,” an official said.
