Surat: The customs department revealed that in the last four years, around 20kg of gold was seized at Surat airport, thereby making it a haven for smugglers. The details were sought through an RTI filed by Sanjeev Ezhava, member of the Surat airport action committee. The total worth of the seized gold amounts to around Rs 9.85 crore.
Giving startling details, the department said that 41 cases have been lodged in connection with the case during the same time period. RTI details showed that in 2019-20, 6,799 grams of gold was seized, 282.6 grams was seized in 2021-22, and 8,955 grams in 2023-24. Last year, almost 8,955 grams of gold (8.95kg) was seized from the airport. Till August this year, as much as 4,356 grams gold has been seized.
During 2019-20, 14 cases of smuggling were registered, while in 2021-22, only one case was lodged. Nine cases of gold smuggling have been registered this year. Between 2022 and 2023, the smugglers were caught 17 times. Currently, 13 customs officials are deployed at the airport. “Government should increase vigilance to break smugglers and officials’ nexus,” Ezhava told TOI.tnn
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Giving startling details, the department said that 41 cases have been lodged in connection with the case during the same time period. RTI details showed that in 2019-20, 6,799 grams of gold was seized, 282.6 grams was seized in 2021-22, and 8,955 grams in 2023-24. Last year, almost 8,955 grams of gold (8.95kg) was seized from the airport. Till August this year, as much as 4,356 grams gold has been seized.
During 2019-20, 14 cases of smuggling were registered, while in 2021-22, only one case was lodged. Nine cases of gold smuggling have been registered this year. Between 2022 and 2023, the smugglers were caught 17 times. Currently, 13 customs officials are deployed at the airport. “Government should increase vigilance to break smugglers and officials’ nexus,” Ezhava told TOI.tnn
We also published the following articles recently
145 tola gold seized at airport
The Air-intelligence unit of Nagpur customs seized 145 tola gold, worth over 87 lakh, from two smugglers at the Nagpur airport. The gold was found in semi-liquid form. The smugglers had flown in from Qatar, taking advantage of the lesser vigilance at the Nagpur airport. The customs department had increased surveillance at the airport due to smuggling activities. Smugglers are now using smaller centers like Nagpur to evade taxes and duties.
The Air-intelligence unit of Nagpur customs seized 145 tola gold, worth over 87 lakh, from two smugglers at the Nagpur airport. The gold was found in semi-liquid form. The smugglers had flown in from Qatar, taking advantage of the lesser vigilance at the Nagpur airport. The customs department had increased surveillance at the airport due to smuggling activities. Smugglers are now using smaller centers like Nagpur to evade taxes and duties.
CISF again nabs gold smugglers, seizes 3.5kg
A ground handling staff at Chennai airport was caught attempting to smuggle 3.5 kg of gold worth Rs 1.77 crore. The gold, in paste form, was hidden in black rubbery balls. The staff was intercepted at the international terminal, and a transit passenger who handed over the gold was also arrested. This is the second successful gold seizure by CISF personnel in two days.
A ground handling staff at Chennai airport was caught attempting to smuggle 3.5 kg of gold worth Rs 1.77 crore. The gold, in paste form, was hidden in black rubbery balls. The staff was intercepted at the international terminal, and a transit passenger who handed over the gold was also arrested. This is the second successful gold seizure by CISF personnel in two days.
7kg gold worth 4 crore seized at Jaipur airport, two arrested
Customs officials in Jaipur arrested two passengers arriving from Dubai and seized 7kg of gold worth over Rs 4 crore from them. The passengers were caught based on a tip-off, and the gold was found in paste form in their luggage. Officials suspect an increase in gold smuggling during the festive season. Over 100 cases of gold smuggling have been reported since 2019, with 20 cases reported this year. The seized gold will be sent to the mint reserves of RBI in Mumbai.
Customs officials in Jaipur arrested two passengers arriving from Dubai and seized 7kg of gold worth over Rs 4 crore from them. The passengers were caught based on a tip-off, and the gold was found in paste form in their luggage. Officials suspect an increase in gold smuggling during the festive season. Over 100 cases of gold smuggling have been reported since 2019, with 20 cases reported this year. The seized gold will be sent to the mint reserves of RBI in Mumbai.
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