Delhi Airport News

New Delhi, August 20: Customs officials at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport have seized 523 grams of 24-carat gold allegedly hidden inside cookware. The gold was recovered during an intelligence-based operation at Terminal 1 of the airport.

According to the available information, the passenger had travelled from Riyadh to Mumbai before arriving in Delhi. Acting on specific intelligence and passenger profiling, customs officials stopped the traveller for a detailed inspection.

During the examination of the passenger’s checked-in baggage, officials conducted an X-ray scan. The screening showed suspicious images inside some cookware items. This led customs officers to carry out a more detailed physical inspection of the utensils.

The investigation revealed that the solid portions of the cookware lids had allegedly been modified to create space for concealing gold. Officials opened the utensils and recovered 15 pieces of gold from inside them. The recovered gold was identified as 24-carat and had a total weight of 523 grams.

The seized gold is estimated to be worth more than Rs 80 lakh, making it a significant recovery by airport customs officials. The passenger was detained, and the gold was confiscated as authorities began further investigation into the alleged smuggling attempt.

Customs officials are now examining the circumstances of the case and trying to determine whether other people or a larger network may have been involved. Further legal proceedings will be carried out according to the applicable rules.

The incident highlights the different methods allegedly used by smugglers to hide precious metals while travelling through airports. Instead of carrying gold openly, smugglers may attempt to conceal it inside commonly used household products to avoid immediate detection.

The seizure also shows the importance of intelligence gathering, passenger profiling and modern screening systems at airports. In this case, the X-ray examination of the checked-in baggage helped officials identify unusual images that led to a detailed inspection.

Airport customs teams regularly monitor passengers and baggage based on intelligence inputs and other security parameters. Detailed inspections can help identify attempts to transport restricted or undeclared goods.

The Delhi airport gold seizure is now under investigation. Authorities will examine the passenger’s travel history, the source of the gold and its intended destination as part of the probe.

The recovery of 523 grams of 24-carat gold from modified cookware demonstrates how customs officials can detect sophisticated concealment methods through intelligence-led checks and baggage screening. Further details are expected as the investigation progresses.

Ajeet Yadav

Ajeet Yadav is an aviation enthusiast covering airline news, airports, aircraft, and industry developments through well-researched and reliable reporting.