Airport security has snagged several million dollars in liquefied gold from a couple attempting to smuggle it into India.
According to a post on the social media platform X, India’s Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) says it seized 28 kilograms of gold paste – worth roughly $3.34 million at current prices – after they got off their plane from Dubai.
-->The CISF said the gold paste was “ingeniously” concealed on their bodies, and that the seizure sets a new benchmark for pro-active surveillance and profiling.
Gold smugglers will often turn their gold into a paste containing non-metallic substances like resin or glue in order to avoid setting off metal detectors which would otherwise easily spot regular coins or bars.
The male suspect was reportedly wearing pants, while the female was wearing a salwar suit, a traditional Indian dress. However, security noticed “bulges” around their midsections, drawing suspicion.
Speaking to local NDTV, a senior CISF officer said,
“The duo, residents of Gujarat, caught the officer’s attention due to their unusual walking pattern and slight bulges around their abdominal area, which did not match the natural body contour…
A total of 28 kg of gold paste was found neatly strapped around their midsections and upper torsos – 16 kg on the woman and 12 kg on the man.”
Another official investigating the case said the seizure was “likely the biggest gold haul in the history of Surat airport.”
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