Delhi IGI Airport / Woman Passenger Caught Smuggling 1 Kg Gold in Undergarments

Customs officials at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport have once again foiled a major gold smuggling bid. In an incident reported on Friday, a female passenger arriving from Yangon was intercepted. While attempting to smuggle nearly one kilogram of gold, ingeniously hidden in her undergarments. The arrest took place as the passenger tried to bypass security checks by exiting through the green channel, typically designated for travelers with nothing to declare for customs duty.

How Suspicion Arose

The passenger, who arrived on flight number 8M 620 from Yangon, drew the suspicion of vigilant customs officers. Based on heightened surveillance and intelligence inputs, officials singled her out for further inspection. Customs authorities employ various techniques and keen observation skills to identify suspicious individuals, and in this instance, the passenger's demeanor and behavior prompted a decision for a thorough personal search.

Gold Concealed in Undergarments

Upon conducting a personal search, officers made a startling discovery. The woman had cleverly concealed six gold biscuits, weighing a total of 997, while 5 grams, within her undergarments. The gold was packed in a manner intended to evade detection during routine checks, while the market value of the seized gold is estimated to be several lakhs of rupees. The recovered gold has been seized immediately under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962, and further legal proceedings have been initiated against the passenger.

Misuse of the Green Channel

This incident once again underscores the prevalent misuse of the green channel at international airports. The green channel is designed for passengers who have no dutiable goods to declare, while smugglers frequently attempt to exploit this channel, believing they can pass through without extensive checks. However, customs officials at Delhi IGI Airport remain highly vigilant, consistently thwarting. Such attempts and preventing the illicit entry of gold into the country.

Rising Smuggling Incidents at IGI Airport

Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport has witnessed a continuous surge in gold smuggling cases. In recent months, customs authorities have uncovered numerous sensational cases where smugglers have employed innovative and imaginative methods to bring gold into the country, while these methods have included concealing gold in date seeds, within electronic adapters, inside the wheels of trolley bags, and even internally within body cavities. The persistent nature of these incidents suggests the involvement of active international syndicates, who are constantly devising new strategies for smuggling. Officials believe that larger international networks may be behind these operations, and investigations are ongoing. This successful interception highlights the customs department's unwavering commitment to anti-smuggling efforts and protecting the nation's economic security.

Delhi Customs officials at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport intercepted a female passenger arriving from Yangon by Flight No. 8M 620 on Friday. The passenger was stopped while attempting to exit through the green channel, meant for those with no dutiable goods to… pic.twitter.com/5s9d2barX0

— ANI (@ANI) October 24, 2025