Customs officials at Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport apprehended an Indian expat arriving from Kuwait who allegedly attempted to smuggle nearly two kilograms of gold into India.
Officials intercepted the suspect's checked baggage after they received a tip-off and discovered five solid gold bars, valued at approximately Rs23 million (approximately BD100,000), intricately concealed inside a metallic lock.
The two smaller gold pieces were camouflaged within a plastic pouch filled with sunflower seeds in an attempt to mislead scanners and divert suspicion.
Officials say the level of planning underscores the evolving sophistication of smuggling operations originating from Gulf routes. However, their vigilance and swift coordination between the airport customs and DRI ensured the attempt was thwarted before the contraband entered the domestic market.
The accused passenger has been taken into custody for further questioning, and a detailed investigation is underway to determine whether the individual was acting independently or as part of a wider smuggling network.
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