At New Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport, two Dubai passengers were apprehended on suspicion of smuggling 1,430 grams of gold.
Gold Smuggling Arrests at Delhi Airport
Two passengers from Dubai were arrested at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi for allegedly smuggling 1430 grams of gold. On Tuesday, Delhi Customs officials intercepted two Indian nationals upon their arrival from Dubai.
The passengers were detained under the Customs Act, 1962, following suspicions of gold smuggling. The confiscated gold, weighing 1430 grams, holds an estimated value of Rs. 91.44 lakh, equivalent to nearly Dh403,374. Authorities have launched further investigations into the incident to uncover additional details and ascertain any potential accomplices or networks involved in the smuggling operation.
Earlier, Delhi Customs seized 2814 grams of gold from five Uzbekistan nationals who arrived from Dubai via Mumbai on May 27. The gold, valued at Rs. 1.92 crore (approximately Dh846,962), was confiscated, and the five passengers were placed under arrest.
According to data from the World Gold Council (WGC), gold smuggling in India witnessed a notable increase, rising by 33 percent to 160 metric tons in 2022. This surge is primarily attributed to the escalation of import duty from 7.5% to 12.5%.
The surge in gold smuggling activities has prompted authorities to enhance surveillance and enforcement measures at airports and other entry points to curb illegal trafficking operations. Customs authorities are collaborating with international agencies to exchange intelligence and coordinate efforts to combat transnational smuggling networks.
The hike in import duty on gold has incentivized smuggling activities as individuals seek to evade the increased tariffs and capitalize on the price differentials between international and domestic markets. To counteract the proliferation of smuggling, enforcement agencies are implementing stringent measures, including enhanced screening procedures, intelligence-based operations, and crackdowns on organized smuggling syndicates.
Public awareness campaigns
Authorities are also conducting public awareness campaigns to educate travelers about the legal implications and consequences of engaging in smuggling activities, urge compliance with customs regulations, and report any suspicious behavior. Efforts to prevent the illicit gold trade are essential to safeguarding the integrity of the economy, preserving national security, and curbing the flow of illicit funds that could be used to finance illegal activities.