A man was arrested at Karipur International Airport in Kozhikode after authorities recovered 1.16 kg of gold allegedly smuggled inside an emergency lamp, officials said on Thursday. The seizure was made following a targeted operation based on specific intelligence inputs, highlighting ongoing concerns over organised gold smuggling routes through Kerala’s key international airport.
The accused, identified as Aslam, had arrived from Dubai on a Flynas flight and was intercepted after exiting the airport premises. According to officials, he managed to bypass initial customs checks before being apprehended outside the terminal, where a detailed inspection led to the recovery of 10 gold bars concealed within the lamp.
Police said the gold was ingeniously hidden inside an emergency lighting device in an apparent attempt to evade detection. Following the arrest, authorities registered a case and launched an investigation to determine the intended recipients of the consignment and whether the incident is linked to a wider smuggling network operating through the region.
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Karipur International Airport has witnessed a series of similar gold smuggling cases in recent months, with enforcement agencies repeatedly uncovering attempts to transport contraband through innovative concealment methods. Earlier this month, police had intercepted another passenger who allegedly hid over a kilogram of gold within his body after arriving from the UAE, while subsequent arrests pointed towards organised carrier networks operating outside the airport.
The recurring cases have intensified scrutiny over airport security and inter-agency coordination between Customs and Kerala Police. The matter has also reached the Kerala High Court, where concerns have been raised regarding jurisdictional overlaps, enforcement procedures, and the handling of seizures within customs-notified areas.
Authorities on both sides have, at various points, exchanged allegations over operational lapses and procedural violations. While police officials have pointed to possible negligence and collusion within smuggling networks, Customs authorities have maintained that certain searches and seizures were conducted outside prescribed legal frameworks, underscoring ongoing tensions in enforcement responsibility at one of the state’s busiest international gateways.
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