NEW DELHI: Customs officials at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport apprehended two young men from Manipur on charges of smuggling gold valued at Rs. 1.34 crore.
The incident occurred on Wednesday when the suspects, both approximately 19 years old, arrived in India from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Acting on intelligence inputs, customs officials intercepted the duo during routine checks.
Upon investigation, it was discovered that they had concealed gold weighing 1.8 kilograms in the form of a chemical paste, hidden inside their rectums.
In a statement shared on the social media platform X (formerly Twitter), the customs department revealed the details of the operation and confirmed the arrests.
“Gold in chemical paste form, weighing 1.8 kg and valued at Rs. 1.34 crore, was seized. The passengers have been arrested,” the department stated.
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The incident highlights the continuing challenges faced by Indian authorities in combating gold smuggling, which has been on the rise due to high import duties and the demand for gold in the country.
The arrests serve as a reminder of the risks taken by individuals involved in such activities and the vigilant efforts of customs officials to prevent illegal imports.
Investigations are underway to determine the origin of the smuggled gold and whether the two individuals were part of a larger smuggling syndicate.
