Delhi Customs arrest passenger with suspected gold worth over Rs 32 lakh at IGI Airport

New Delhi [India], January 9 (ANI): The officials of Delhi Customs intercepted a 47-year-old passenger arriving from Jeddah on Thursday with 419 grams of suspected gold worth over 32 lakh at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport.
According to Delhi Customs, the Indian passenger arriving on Air India flight from Jeddah was flagged for inspection based on profiling during the green channel exit.
Upon further scrutiny, customs officers discovered 12 yellow metal rods, weighing 419 grams and suspected to be gold, concealed within the wheels of the passenger's trolley bag.
The suspected gold, valued at around Rs 32.96 lakh, was detected during an X-ray scan, though no alarm was triggered by the passenger's entry on the Door Frame Metal Detector (DFMD).
The passenger has been detained for questioning, and statements have been recorded under Section 108 of the Customs Act.The suspected gold was seized under Section 110 of the Customs Act, and the items will be send for purity testing, according to Delhi Customs.
The Customs Department has launched a thorough investigation, looking into the possible involvement of smuggling networks and the broader implications of the case.
Further action will be taken based on the findings, including possible legal proceedings.
Earlier on Monday, a 32-year-old Canadian man was arrested at Delhi's IGI Airport for carrying a crocodile skull, said the Customs.
The man was scheduled to depart for Canada on Air Canada flight AC 051. During a security check at Terminal-3, a skull with sharp teeth, resembling the jaw of a baby crocodile, weighing approximately 777 grams, was discovered wrapped in a cream-coloured cloth.
The Department of Forests and Wildlife (GNCTD) confirmed that the skull belonged to a species protected under Schedule-I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, said the Customs.
The passenger was arrested under Section 104 of the Customs Act, 1962, and the seized skull was handed over to the Department of Forests and Wildlife (West Division, GNCTD) for lab testing. (ANI)