Man Arrested at Delhi Airport for Smuggling 115 Gold Bars Worth Over ₹5.7 Crore
44-year-old man held with 115 gold bars at Delhi airport
Image: Hindustan Times
A 44-year-old American national of Indian origin was arrested at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi for smuggling 115 gold bars valued at over ₹5.7 crore (approximately $685,000 USD) from the United States. The gold, concealed in a specially designed belt and trousers, highlights a surge in smuggling attempts following a recent increase in customs duty on gold.
- 01The smuggled gold bars weighed a total of 3,565 grams and are of 24-karat purity.
- 02The arrest occurred as the man attempted to pass through the Green Channel, designated for passengers without prohibited items.
- 03The contraband was seized under Section 110 of the Customs Act, 1962, and the individual was arrested under Section 104 of the same Act.
- 04Customs officials noted a sharp increase in smuggling attempts due to a recent hike in customs duty on gold from 6% to 15%.
- 05The trend indicates that international smuggling syndicates are using more sophisticated concealment methods to exploit profit margins.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
On Friday, customs officials at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi arrested a 44-year-old man for allegedly smuggling 115 gold bars worth over ₹5.7 crore (approximately $685,000 USD) from the United States. The individual, an American national of Indian origin, was caught while attempting to pass through the Green Channel, which is meant for travelers without prohibited items. A thorough search revealed the gold bars, weighing a total of 3,565 grams and made of 24-karat purity, concealed in a specially designed belt and the inner pockets of his trousers. The gold was seized under Section 110 of the Customs Act, 1962, and the man was arrested under Section 104 of the same Act. This incident is part of a worrying trend, as customs officials have reported a significant rise in smuggling attempts recently. This surge is attributed to a recent increase in customs duty on gold from 6% to 15%, which has widened profit margins for smuggling syndicates, prompting them to adopt more sophisticated concealment techniques. Customs officials are closely monitoring this escalating trend.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
The rise in gold smuggling attempts could lead to stricter customs enforcement and increased scrutiny at airports, affecting travelers.
Advertisement
In-Article Ad
Reader Poll
Do you think stricter customs regulations are necessary to combat gold smuggling?
Connecting to poll...
Read the original article
Visit the source for the complete story.