Kochi Airport News: Tamil Nadu Couple Held at Kochi Airport with Gold Paste Worth Nearly ₹2 Crore
Kochi Airport News
Customs officials at Cochin International Airport have arrested a young couple from Tamil Nadu after recovering more than 1.35 kilograms of concealed gold paste worth nearly ₹2 crore. The seizure is one of the major gold smuggling cases reported at the airport in recent months.
According to Customs officials, the couple arrived in Kochi from Abu Dhabi on an Air India Express flight on Monday. They were intercepted during routine inspection after officials became suspicious of their movements and decided to carry out a detailed examination.
The passengers were identified as Rifnas Hamed Mohammed Sharif (26) and his wife Janofer Kadar Beevi Umar Farook (23). Both are residents of Pudukottai district in Tamil Nadu.
During the inspection, Customs officers discovered that the couple had allegedly hidden gold paste inside the stitched waistbands of the trousers they were wearing. The concealed material was carefully removed and examined by officials.
After extraction, the recovered gold weighed 1,353.92 grams and was confirmed to be 24-carat gold. According to Customs authorities, the total value of the seized gold is approximately ₹1.94 crore, with an estimated valuation of ₹1,93,55,640.
Officials immediately seized the gold and arrested both passengers under the relevant provisions of the Customs Act. The couple is now being questioned as part of an ongoing investigation to determine the source of the gold and whether they were working for a larger smuggling network.
Gold smuggling remains a major concern for Customs authorities across India. Due to the difference between international and domestic gold prices, smugglers often attempt to bring gold into the country illegally to avoid paying customs duties. They frequently use innovative methods to hide the precious metal inside luggage, clothing, electronic devices, footwear, or specially designed compartments.
In this case, officials said the gold had been converted into paste form and concealed within the waistbands of the passengers’ trousers. Smugglers sometimes use gold paste because it can be easier to hide than solid gold bars or jewellery. However, Customs officers are trained to identify unusual concealment methods through profiling, physical inspection, and intelligence-based operations.
The successful seizure demonstrates the effectiveness of security and Customs checks at Indian international airports. Officers regularly monitor arriving passengers, especially those coming from countries that are common transit points for gold smuggling.
Following the seizure, investigators will examine the couple’s travel history, financial records, and possible contacts to determine whether they were acting independently or as part of an organised smuggling operation. Authorities may also investigate whether similar smuggling attempts have been made using the same route.
Customs officials have not yet released additional details about the investigation but confirmed that legal proceedings have begun. Further action will depend on the findings of the ongoing inquiry.
The case also highlights the importance of strict airport security and Customs surveillance in preventing illegal imports. Airports across India have strengthened screening procedures in recent years by using advanced scanning equipment, passenger profiling, intelligence inputs, and detailed personal examinations whenever suspicious activity is detected.
Officials continue to urge international travelers to follow all Customs regulations and declare valuables whenever required. Attempting to smuggle gold into the country can result in confiscation of the metal, arrest, prosecution, and other legal penalties under Indian law.
The seizure of nearly ₹2 crore worth of gold at Cochin International Airport once again underlines the continuous efforts of Customs authorities to curb gold smuggling and protect government revenue. Investigations are continuing, and officials are expected to provide further updates as the case progresses.
Ajeet Yadav is an aviation enthusiast covering airline news, airports, aircraft, and industry developments through well-researched and reliable reporting.
