Gold worth Rs50 lakhs found hidden in 8-month-old baby’s diaper

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) in India has made a significant seizure of gold, valued at approximately Rs50 lakh, found hidden inside the diaper of an eight-month-old baby. The operation took place at Karipur International Airport in Kerala, following specific intelligence reports. The baby's father, a resident of Kerala's Malappuram district, was traveling with his three children.

During a thorough inspection, the DRI officers detected the concealed gold within the infant's diaper. Additionally, the father's body was also examined, leading to the discovery of further gold hidden on his person. The passenger initially claimed to have no knowledge of carrying any smuggled gold. However, the DRI team carried out a comprehensive examination based on the intelligence input, which ultimately led to the recovery of the gold.

Reports indicate that the individual may have attempted to use the infant as a cover to avoid more stringent security checks. The DRI is now investigating the source of the gold and efforts are ongoing to identify any other individuals potentially involved in the alleged gold-smuggling network. This seizure underscores the evolving tactics employed by gold-smuggling syndicates to circumvent detection at Indian airports.

The DRI has intensified its intelligence-led operations, particularly targeting the movement of foreign-origin gold through international routes into the country. Gold smuggling continues to pose a considerable challenge, especially at Kerala's airports, where enforcement agencies frequently intercept passengers employing concealed compartments, body concealment, and other methods to transport the precious metal.