Passenger caught smuggling gold worth Rs 51 lakhs at Mangaluru Airport

Mangaluru: A passenger was caught smuggling gold worth more than Rs 51 lakhs at the Mangaluru International Airport on Saturday, Customs officials said.

The passenger arriving from Dubai via Air India Express flight IX 814 was intercepted on November 18. The surveillance flagged suspicious content in the passenger’s checked-in baggage, revealing dark images suggestive of heavy metal presence, the officials said.

Upon meticulous examination, officials discovered concealed items within the passenger’s possessions. Two circular pieces were found hidden inside car speakers, while two rectangular pieces were detected within an air pod. Additionally, a rectangular piece of 24-carat gold was concealed in a power adapter.

The total weight of the seized gold amounted to 857 grams, with an estimated value of Rs. 51,84,850/-. The individual in question was arrested and presented before the magistrate to face legal proceedings, the customs officials added.