Gold seizures at the Mumbai airport highest in 15 years

AIU officials say the number of gold seizures may well cross the 1,000 mark this year

Instances of gold smugglers getting caught at the Mumbai international airport are set to soar to a new high this year. The Air Intelligence Unit of Customs has registered 500 cases of gold seizures in the past six months i.e. from January to June. This rate is well ahead of the previous record haul which was seen more than 15 years ago.

Also read: Smuggler caught with Rs 25 lakh gold hidden in a magazine

NEW HIGH: AIU officials say the number of gold seizures may well cross the 1,000 mark this year

Officials said they have seized 535 kg of gold in half a year - 323 kg being seized just between April and June. They are confident that the number of cases will surpass the previous annual record of 800 kg, which was seen in 1988-89.

Also read: 18 kg gold intercepted at Mumbai International Airport

Passengers disguise gold as buttons, hide them in chocolate wrappers and even inside their own bodies

Officers responsible for the seizure of the 323 kg will be given a letter of appreciation for their efforts. "Intercepting such a big amount is a huge achievement. Last year, from April to June, only 55 kg of gold was taken into custody. This year, it is nearly six times that number," said a senior Customs official, adding that the number of cases could cross 1,000.

Also read: Customs seize gold worth Rs 6 cr hidden in soap bars

Milind Lanjewar, additional commissioner, Customs, told mid-day, "We are sure that that smuggling will continue, there has been no decrease in the cost of gold in the budget presented by the government on Thursday."

Where the gold is stashed
>> Car speakers
>> Shoes|
>> Chocolates
>> Coffee powder
>> Inside the rectum
>> Inside the mouth
>> Beneath the flight carpet
>> Bra hooks
>> Washrooms in planes
>> Shirt Buttons
>> Watch dials