Dubai Couple Caught Smuggling 20kg Gold at Surat Airport

A Gujarat couple was apprehended at Surat International Airport on July 20 for smuggling over 20 kg of gold paste, concealed under their clothing, in what officials call the largest gold seizure in the airport’s history. The Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and Customs Department intercepted the duo around 10 p.m. after they disembarked from Air India Flight IX-174 from Dubai.

A CISF intelligence officer noticed the couple’s unusual walking patterns and abdominal bulges, prompting a tip-off to Customs. A thorough search revealed 28 kg of gold paste—16 kg strapped to the woman’s midsection and upper torso beneath her salwar suit, and 12 kg on the man under his shirt and trousers. Authorities estimate the paste yields over 20 kg of pure gold, valued at approximately ₹23 crore.

“This seizure underscores the power of behavioral profiling and seamless CISF-Customs coordination,” a senior CISF officer stated. The couple, now in custody, faces charges under the Customs Act, with investigations ongoing to uncover potential links to organized smuggling networks operating from Dubai. Social media posts on X hailed the CISF’s vigilance, with users like @TejassModi_ and @Divya_Bhaskar noting the operation’s significance.

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