Bengaluru: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has busted an alleged gold smuggling operation at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru, seizing 1.3 kg of gold biscuits valued at around Rs 1.8 crore.
According to the information available, the suspected network allegedly used unsuspecting air passengers to move smuggled gold past Customs checks without their knowledge. The modus operandi involved concealing gold biscuits beneath luggage trolleys used by travellers arriving at the airport.
Gold allegedly concealed under luggage trolleys
Two accused allegedly brought the gold biscuits from Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia. They are suspected of sticking the gold beneath luggage trolleys that passengers would pick up while moving through the airport.
The alleged plan was to allow unsuspecting passengers to cross Customs with the gold attached to the trolleys. The accused would then reportedly follow the travellers and retrieve the concealed contraband, using them as unwitting carriers.
DRI officials acted on specific intelligence and seized the gold biscuits. The investigation is expected to examine the suspected smuggling network, identify those involved and establish how the operation was carried out.
The case highlights the methods allegedly used by smugglers to evade airport security and Customs enforcement by exploiting routine passenger movements.
Separate gold smuggling case reported in Mumbai
The Bengaluru seizure comes amid another reported gold smuggling incident at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport.
In that case, a passenger who arrived from Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates was allegedly found carrying more than 300 grams of gold paste concealed in the soles of his shoes.
According to officials cited by the news agency PTI, the incident occurred on the evening of October 6 at Terminal 2 of the Mumbai airport. The seized gold was estimated to be worth around Rs 37 lakh.
The passenger was undergoing security checks for an onward domestic journey to Jaipur when Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) personnel asked him to place his shoes in the X-ray machine.
The screening reportedly revealed concealed material in the soles of the footwear. A total of 319 grams of gold paste was subsequently detected.
Airport checks remain crucial to detecting smuggling
The two cases involved different alleged methods of concealing gold, from hiding biscuits beneath luggage trolleys to carrying gold paste inside footwear.
In Bengaluru, investigators are expected to focus on the alleged use of unsuspecting passengers and the arrangements made to retrieve the gold after it passed Customs checks. Further details about arrests and the wider network were not provided in the available information.
The cases underline the importance of intelligence-led enforcement and passenger screening in detecting attempts to transport gold illegally through international airports.