Gold Smuggling Soars Amid Duty Hike: A 115-Bar Seizure Shocker

In a significant development, customs officials at Indira Gandhi International Airport have intercepted a major gold smuggling operation. The seizure involved 115 gold bars, reportedly smuggled by an American national of Indian origin, hidden in a specially designed belt.

The incident has highlighted a troubling increase in gold smuggling attempts following a recent hike in Customs duty on gold from 6 percent to 15 percent. The duty increase has shifted the illicit market dynamics, prompting international syndicates to adopt more sophisticated methods to conceal contraband.

Customs officials, acting on intelligence inputs and risk-based passenger profiling, intercepted a passenger arriving from San Francisco. The seizure, involving 24-karat gold bars, underscores a new level of desperation among smugglers eager to capitalize on growing profit margins.

(With inputs from agencies.)