Customs seizes 24 foreign gold biscuits worth ₹4 cr taped inside IndiGo flight at Ahmedabad airport | Watch video

Customs Seizes 24 Foreign Gold Biscuits Hidden in IndiGo Flight at Ahmedabad Airport

Theindiapostdaily.com – Indian customs authorities have made a significant discovery at Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, seizing 24 foreign gold biscuits valued at over ₹4.26 crore. These precious metals were concealed inside a speaker box in the aircraft lavatory of an IndiGo flight, 6E-1478, which had arrived from Dubai. The find highlights the growing efforts by Indian customs to detect and intercept illicit goods transported through air routes.

“During the inspection of IndiGo Flight No. 6E-1478, which landed at Ahmedabad Airport on June 12, 2026, customs officials, working in tandem with aircraft engineers, discovered two black plastic-wrapped pouches hidden within the speaker box in the front lavatory,” reported ANI. The operation unfolded after intelligence led to a focused search of the onboard luggage compartments and lavatory areas.

The seized gold biscuits, each with a purity of 999.0 (24 carat), totaled 2,799.3 grams. At the prevailing market rate, the combined value of the gold exceeds ₹4,26,89,325. Customs officials suspect the smuggler intended to have a domestic passenger or ground staff member retrieve the gold during the aircraft’s turnaround. However, the plan was uncovered before the gold could be claimed, demonstrating the effectiveness of proactive inspection strategies.

The Hidden Gold Biscuits: A Smuggling Technique Unveiled

The choice of gold biscuits as the smuggled item reflects a trend in clandestine transport methods. These small, flat gold bars are often used by smugglers due to their compact size and ability to be disguised as regular items. In this case, the gold was hidden within a speaker box, a common piece of onboard equipment, which made the concealment both practical and inconspicuous. The speaker box, typically placed near the lavatory, served as an ideal hiding spot, blending with the aircraft’s infrastructure.

Customs officers used technical expertise and collaboration with aircraft engineers to dismantle the speaker box and uncover the gold. This method of detection underscores the importance of cross-departmental cooperation in identifying sophisticated smuggling schemes. The gold biscuits were identified as unclaimed goods under the Customs Act, and the case is now under investigation to determine the full extent of the smuggling operation and identify the culprits.

Smuggling Trends and Recent Seizures

The incident at Ahmedabad Airport is part of a broader surge in smuggling cases across Indian airports. In the past few months, customs and revenue intelligence teams have intercepted numerous high-value items, including drugs, electronics, and precious metals. The recent seizure of 24 foreign gold biscuits adds to this trend, showcasing the variety of goods being smuggled through air corridors.

For instance, on June 11, 2026, a 29-year-old woman was arrested at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai for smuggling 11.8 kg of hydroponic weed from Bangkok. The drugs were concealed in her trolley bag, highlighting the adaptability of smuggling techniques. Similarly, earlier that week, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) officers in Chennai detained a suspect for transporting five kg of crystal methamphetamine from Malaysia, found in Terminal 2 during routine checks.

These cases, along with the Ahmedabad gold seizure, contribute to a notable increase in drug-related interceptions. Official data presented in Parliament reveals that between April and October 2025, customs and DRI teams recorded 549 such cases, with confiscated narcotics valued at over ₹3,300 crore. The smuggling of hydroponic cannabis from Bangkok, Singapore, and Malaysia has been particularly prevalent at Mumbai, Chennai, and Amritsar airports, indicating a well-organized network across international borders.

Customs seizes 24 foreign gold biscuits as part of a broader strategy to intercept high-value goods. The operation involved a meticulous search of the aircraft, focusing on areas where goods can be easily hidden without raising suspicion. This case also demonstrates the role of technology and intelligence in modern customs enforcement. By using technical assistance from engineers, officials were able to locate the gold biscuits, which might have gone unnoticed without specialized tools.

The incident has sparked discussions about the need for enhanced security measures in airports. While the discovery of the gold biscuits was a success, it also highlights vulnerabilities in the system. Experts suggest that increasing the use of X-ray machines, metal detectors, and random inspections could further prevent such smuggling attempts. Additionally, the case emphasizes the importance of training ground staff and passengers to recognize suspicious behavior or items during transit.

Customs officials are now analyzing the case to determine the motive behind the smuggling and whether it was part of a larger operation. The seizure of 24 foreign gold biscuits represents a significant financial loss for the smugglers, who could have potentially sold the gold at a premium in the domestic market. As the investigation continues, authorities are likely to take stricter measures to prevent similar incidents, ensuring that India’s borders remain secure against illicit imports.