A couple returning from Dubai were apprehended by security agencies at Surat airport for allegedly smuggling over 20 kilograms of gold concealed in paste form. The incident occurred around 10 PM on July 20, when the duo deboarded an Air India flight and were intercepted by officials of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and Customs.
The two passengers, residents of Gujarat, first caught the attention of a plainclothes officer from the CISF’s intelligence wing due to their “unusual walking pattern and slight bulges around their abdominal area,” which, according to a senior CISF officer, did not align with natural body contours.
Over 28 Kg of Gold Paste Strapped to Midsections and Torsos
The Customs department was immediately alerted and carried out a thorough physical check of the passengers. The male passenger was dressed in a shirt and trousers, while the female wore a salwar suit. Upon inspection, authorities discovered that a total of 28 kg of gold paste had been strapped around their midsections and upper torsos — 16 kg on the woman and 12 kg on the man.
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Officials estimate that the pure gold content extracted from the paste would be over 20 kg. “This is likely the biggest gold haul in the history of Surat airport,” said an official involved in the investigation.
The operation has been hailed for demonstrating the effectiveness of behavioural profiling and the seamless coordination between CISF and Customs personnel.
