Delhi Airport News: Woman Caught Smuggling 320 Grams of Gold Hidden in Shoes
Delhi Airport News
Customs officials at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport in New Delhi have arrested a woman passenger after allegedly recovering five gold ingots weighing around 320 grams that were hidden inside her footwear. The woman had arrived in India from Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, officials said.
According to a statement issued by the Customs Department, the passenger was intercepted after she crossed the Green Channel at the airport. The Green Channel is meant for passengers who are not carrying any goods that need to be declared to customs authorities. Officials stopped the woman based on spot profiling, a security method used to identify passengers who may require additional screening.
During the initial inspection, customs officers scanned the passenger’s baggage using an X-ray machine. However, the baggage screening did not show any suspicious items. Despite this, officials decided to continue the examination because the passenger’s behaviour and travel pattern had raised suspicion.
The breakthrough came when the woman passed through the Door Frame Metal Detector (DFMD). The metal detector produced a beep alert, indicating the possible presence of metallic objects on her body or clothing. This prompted customs officers to carry out a more detailed personal examination.
During the search, officials discovered five gold ingots cleverly concealed inside the passenger’s footwear. The total weight of the recovered gold was approximately 320 grams. The hidden gold was immediately seized by customs authorities.
Following the recovery, the woman was taken into custody for further questioning. Officials have not yet released her identity or disclosed whether she was acting alone or as part of a larger smuggling network. Investigators are now examining her travel history, source of the gold, and intended destination within India.
Customs officials have launched a detailed investigation under the relevant provisions of the Customs Act. Authorities will determine whether the passenger attempted to evade customs duty or was involved in illegal gold smuggling activities.
Gold smuggling remains a significant challenge for Indian customs authorities because of the high demand for the precious metal and the price difference between international and domestic markets. Smugglers often use innovative methods to hide gold in luggage, clothing, electronic items, body cavities, or specially modified footwear in an attempt to avoid detection.
Airports across India have strengthened security measures in recent years to prevent such illegal activities. Customs officers use a combination of passenger profiling, baggage scanning, metal detectors, intelligence inputs, and physical inspections to identify suspicious cases. Even when baggage scans appear normal, additional screening may be conducted if officers detect unusual behaviour or receive alerts during security checks.
The successful seizure at Delhi Airport highlights the importance of multiple layers of airport security. In this case, although the baggage X-ray did not reveal any hidden items, the metal detector alert led officers to inspect the passenger more carefully, resulting in the recovery of the concealed gold.
Officials have not yet disclosed the estimated market value of the seized gold. The recovered gold has been confiscated, and further legal action will depend on the outcome of the ongoing investigation.
The Customs Department has reiterated its commitment to preventing the illegal import of gold and other prohibited goods through Indian airports. Authorities continue to monitor international arrivals closely and have urged travelers to comply with customs regulations by declaring valuable items when required. The investigation into the case is currently underway, and more details are expected to be released after further questioning of the passenger.
Ajeet Yadav is an aviation enthusiast covering airline news, airports, aircraft, and industry developments through well-researched and reliable reporting.
