Passenger held at RGIA with ₹2.25 crore foreign-origin gold

A passenger was detained at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) with 1.48 kg of foreign-origin gold, valued at around ₹2.25 crore, concealed beneath his clothing. The arrest took place on October 6 by Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) officials at the Hyderabad airport. Intelligence led to the interception of the individual travelling from Tiruchirappalli to Hyderabad on a flight that had previously operated an international sector.

Upon search, six pieces of the gold were recovered, totaling 1,481.780 grams. The gold was packed in blue adhesive tape and carbon paper and hidden inside a specialized pouch worn beneath the passenger's clothes. The DRI investigation suggested an unusual method of smuggling the gold into Hyderabad. The passenger claimed he had collected the consignment from inside the aircraft during the previous international leg of the flight.

It is believed the gold was placed on the aircraft after its arrival from abroad and was meant to be retrieved during the domestic leg of the journey to Hyderabad. The six gold pieces were seized under the Customs Act, 1962, and the passenger was arrested on the same day. Further probing into the smuggling operation remains ongoing.