Bengaluru: Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel at Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) intercepted a passenger after allegedly detecting two yellow-metal capsules weighing around 82 grams concealed inside his mouth during a security check on Wednesday.
The passenger, identified as Mohd Siraj, an Indian national, had arrived in Bengaluru from Dubai on IndiGo flight 6E-1486 at around 4.17 am. He was scheduled to travel onwards to Ghaziabad on IndiGo flight 6E-2518 at 9.20 am.
The interception took place during the passenger’s pre-embarkation security check (PESC) at a frisking point in Terminal 1.
CISF officer notices suspicious behaviour
According to CISF officials, Siraj’s behaviour during the screening raised suspicion after he reportedly failed to respond appropriately to the screening officer.
CISF sub-inspector Deepak Kumar Sharma, who was posted at the screening point, noticed the passenger’s behaviour and suspected that he could be concealing something.
He alerted the concerned security officer, following which the passenger was subjected to further examination.
During the subsequent check, security personnel allegedly recovered two yellow-metal capsules weighing approximately 82 grams from inside the passenger’s mouth.
The material was concealed in a manner intended to evade detection during the security screening, according to officials.
Passenger handed over to police
Following the interception, CISF personnel handed Siraj over to KIA police for further legal action.
Officials said the investigation was underway to determine the exact nature of the yellow-metal capsules and establish their intended destination.
The material was described as yellow metal at the time of interception, and further examination will be required to establish its composition.
The circumstances surrounding the alleged concealment and the passenger’s travel plans are also being examined as part of the investigation.
Siraj had arrived at Bengaluru from Dubai in the early hours of Wednesday and was scheduled to take a domestic flight to Ghaziabad later in the morning.
The interception prevented him from continuing his journey before the concealed material could be examined.
Second major interception in a week
The incident is the second interception involving suspected concealed gold at KIA by CISF personnel within a week.
On August 20, CISF personnel intercepted two passengers who were allegedly carrying around 260 grams of gold in powder form concealed inside specially customised trousers.
The two passengers had arrived from Bangkok at Terminal 2 and were scheduled to travel to Ahmedabad on a domestic flight from Terminal 1.
According to officials, CISF personnel noticed their suspicious behaviour during screening and subsequently conducted a physical examination.
The alleged gold powder was then recovered from their customised clothing.
The two passengers were handed over to Bengaluru police for questioning and further investigation.
CISF steps up airport security checks
The recent interceptions highlight the role of behavioural observation alongside regular security screening at KIA.
In both cases, CISF personnel reportedly noticed suspicious behaviour before conducting detailed checks. Such observations enabled security officials to identify passengers who were allegedly attempting to conceal material in unusual ways.
The latest case involved a passenger who had already completed an international journey from Dubai and was preparing to board a domestic flight to Ghaziabad.
The recovery of the two capsules during the PESC at Terminal 1 triggered further action, with the passenger being handed over to the police.
The investigation will determine whether the yellow-metal capsules contain gold and establish the circumstances in which they were allegedly concealed and transported.
Authorities are also expected to examine the passenger’s travel history and intended destination as part of the probe.
The interception comes amid continued security vigilance at KIA, particularly over attempts to transport valuable material through concealed means.
While the CISF has recovered the suspected material and handed the passenger over to the police, further details will depend on the outcome of the investigation and examination of the recovered capsules.