Air Intelligence Unit (AIU), Surat International Airport, Ahmedabad Customs  effected a major GOLD seizure of 24.827 Kgs valued Rs. 25.57 Crore at Surat International Airport. This is one of the biggest seizure of Gold in Gujarat made by Ahmedabad Customs Commissionerate.

On 20.07.2025, acting upon passenger profiling and surveillance conducted by Customs officers of AIU, Surat Unit, two passengers arriving from Dubai to Surat by Air India Express Flight IX-174 were intercepted by the AIU team at the arrival hall. The passengers were under watch based on suspicious movement patterns and technical profiling inputs gathered by Surat Customs, AIU Unit. During this monitoring, a corroborative input from CISF personnel regarding one of the passengers further reinforced the suspicion. Accordingly, both passengers were subjected to a detailed personal search.

 

On examination and personal search of both passenger (Husband &wife), total 28.100 Kg of Gold in paste form was recovered which was ingeniously concealed within modified jeans/pants, inner garments, handbag and footwear.

The operation led to the recovery of 24.827 kilograms of gold valued at approximately ₹25.57 crore in the domestic market.

Both individuals have been placed under arrest under the relevant provisions of the Customs Act, 1962 and produced before the court.

The modus operandi detected in the present case points to the adoption of advanced body concealment techniques to carry out the gold smuggling.

Further investigation is under progress.

 

(Release ID: 2147033)