Customs officials arrested a U.S. national of Indian origin at Indira Gandhi International Airport after discovering concealed gold bars in his trousers.
The seizure highlights the ongoing efforts by Indian authorities to curb the illegal import of precious metals, which often bypasses national tax and declaration laws.
The passenger arrived at the international terminal in New Delhi on May 15 [4] after traveling from San Francisco [5]. During a routine inspection, officials discovered 115 gold bars [2] hidden within the man's clothing.
The total weight of the smuggled haul was 3.5 kg [1]. According to customs reports, the monetary value of the seized gold is estimated at Rs 5.5 crore [3].
Authorities said the passenger attempted to bypass customs declaration rules by concealing the metal. The man was taken into custody following the discovery at the airport.
Customs officials at IGI Airport frequently intercept gold smuggling attempts due to the high demand for the metal in India. The use of clothing to hide bars is a known tactic used to evade detection by scanners and manual searches. This incident marks one of several major hauls recorded at the terminal this month.
“Customs officials seized 115 gold bars hidden in the trousers of a passenger”
The seizure of high-value gold by a foreign national underscores the persistent challenge India faces with gold smuggling. By importing gold illegally, individuals avoid high import duties, which can distort domestic gold prices and impact the national trade deficit. This arrest reflects the increased scrutiny applied to passengers arriving from major international hubs like San Francisco.
