AIU Foils Gold Smuggling Attempt At Cochin International Airport, Seizes 20 Gold Bars Concealed In Passenger's Jeans

The Customs officials discovered 20 gold bars weighing a total of 2332.80 grams concealed within a specially stitched cavity around the waistline of the passenger's jeans. 

Customs Thiruvananthapuram Zone has intercepted and foiled 13 gold smuggling attempts this week, ( Image Source :X/@CustomsCochin )

In a recent development, officers from Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) intercepted a passenger arriving from Dubai at Cochin International Airport on Friday. Upon examination, they discovered 20 gold bars weighing a total of 2332.80 grams concealed within a specially stitched cavity around the waistline of the passenger's jeans. 

According to ANI, officers of AIU (Air Intelligence Unit) intercepted a passenger, arriving from Dubai, at Cochin International Airport. During the examination of the passenger, 20 Gold Bars - weighing a total of 2332.80 grams - concealed inside the specially stitched cavity around the waistline of the jeans worn by the passenger were recovered and seized. Further proceedings are underway.

Kerala: Officers of AIU (Air Intelligence Unit) intercepted a passenger, arriving from Dubai, at Cochin International Airport. During the examination of the passenger, 20 Gold Bars - weighing a total of 2332.80 grams - concealed inside the specially stitched cavity around the… pic.twitter.com/4NRW27p4ci

— ANI (@ANI) May 11, 2024

 

Khader Maitheen, a resident of Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu, was apprehended by Air Intelligence Unit officials after raising suspicions when he passed through the green channel. Upon closer examination, authorities discovered 20 gold bars, totaling approximately 2330 grams, concealed within his clothing, according to a report on IANS.

The officials said that the value of the seizure would be Rs 1.50 crores.

Till now, passengers arriving from several Middle Eastern airports accounted for approximately 90 percent of the seizures at Cochin airport.

In the meantime, Customs Thiruvananthapuram Zone has intercepted and foiled 13 gold smuggling attempts this week, resulting in the seizure of 7.6 kilograms of gold valued at Rs. 5.3 crores. Additionally, separate incidents led to the confiscation of cigarettes valued at Rs. 14.5 lakhs, currency amounting to Rs. 16 lakhs, drones valued at Rs. 5 lakhs, and poppy seeds worth Rs. 0.6 lakhs.