Daijiworld Media Network - Ahmedabad
Ahmedabad, Aug 23: Customs officials at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport (SVPIA) in Ahmedabad seized nearly half a kilogram of 24-carat gold worth more than Rs 83 lakh from a 31-year-old woman from Bhavnagar who arrived from Sharjah on Sunday.
The passenger was intercepted by the Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) of Ahmedabad Customs following passenger profiling after she landed on an Air Arabia flight from Sharjah.
During examination, officials found a gold chain concealed inside the high-neck sweater worn by the passenger.
The chain weighed 499.540 grams and was found to be 24-carat gold. Customs officials valued it at Rs 83,14,843.
The gold was seized under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962. The woman was arrested under the relevant provisions of the Act and was subsequently released on bail. Further investigation is underway.
Series of gold seizures
The latest seizure comes amid a series of gold interceptions at Ahmedabad airport involving passengers arriving from Gulf destinations.
On August 16, Customs officials intercepted a woman arriving from Sharjah and recovered 219.43 grams of gold jewellery worth around Rs 28.87 lakh. The jewellery, including chains, necklaces, bracelets, a bangle, an anklet and earrings, was concealed in her purse and beneath her clothes.
In another case on July 30, AIU officials intercepted a woman arriving from Dubai following passenger profiling. They recovered more than 240 grams of 24-carat gold, comprising four bangles and a chain with a pendant, valued at around Rs 35.5 lakh.
The jewellery was seized under the Customs Act.
Ahmedabad Customs has also reported larger gold recoveries this year. In February, officials seized 601.940 grams of 24-carat gold valued at Rs 96.06 lakh from a passenger arriving from Dubai.
The gold was found partly in the form of bars and partly concealed as gold paste inside the passenger's underwear.
The latest case involving the Bhavnagar resident remains under investigation as Customs authorities examine the circumstances surrounding the attempted import and concealment of the gold.