Airport authorities at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International (SVPI) Airport seized around 5 kg of gold dust concealed in plastic plates. The gold seized on Wednesday is estimated to be worth Rs 33.9 crore, considering the market price of gold at Rs 67,800 per 10 grams in the city on that day.
Authorities from the air intelligence unit (AIU) of Ahmedabad Customs, who handled the operation, confirmed the gold’s origin from abroad but declined to provide further specifics.
It is learned that after becoming suspicious, the officials decided to break open the plastic plates, revealing glittering gold particles within. Passengers exhibiting suspicious behavior or movements are targeted based on their travel history for further scrutiny and searches.
This is another such seizure by Ahmedabad Customs, which has confiscated 25 kilograms of gold in February alone, leading to the arrest of twenty individuals.