Customs seize ₹4.27 crore gold hidden in IndiGo lavatory

Customs officials at Ahmedabad's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport have seized 24 gold biscuits worth an estimated 4.27 crore rupees from an IndiGo flight that arrived from Dubai. The gold, weighing 2,799.3 grams, was discovered concealed inside a speaker box in the aircraft's front lavatory.

The seizure occurred during a detailed inspection conducted with the assistance of aircraft engineers. Officials stated the 24-carat gold had been wrapped in black plastic tape and hidden in a manner intended to evade routine checks. No passenger or crew member came forward to claim the contraband, leading authorities to seize it as unclaimed under the Customs Act and launch an investigation.

The method of concealment is notable, as the gold was hidden within an aircraft component itself, rather than in personal baggage or on a person. This has prompted a wider investigation into the possibility of an organized smuggling network. Officials are examining surveillance footage, passenger and crew records, aircraft servicing logs, and intelligence inputs to determine how the gold was placed on the plane and who was meant to retrieve it after landing. The fact that the gold remained...