Surat:
A couple arriving from Dubai was apprehended by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and Customs officials at Surat airport for allegedly smuggling over 20 kg of gold paste concealed under their clothing, officials said.
The incident occurred around 10 PM on July 20, when the couple landed on an Air India flight.
According to officials, a plainclothes CISF intelligence officer became suspicious after observing the duo’s unnatural walking pattern and visible bulges around their abdominal area, which appeared inconsistent with normal body contours.
“The two, residents of Gujarat, caught the officer’s attention due to irregular body shapes and their stiff movement,” said a senior CISF officer.
The CISF official promptly alerted Customs authorities, who then intercepted the couple and conducted a detailed physical search. The man was wearing a shirt and trousers, while the woman was dressed in a salwar suit.
The officer stated, “A total of 28 kg of gold paste was recovered, carefully strapped around their midsections and upper torsos—16 kg on the woman and 12 kg on the man.” Based on the concentration of the paste, officials estimate that the haul could yield over 20 kg of pure gold, he added.
“This is possibly the largest gold seizure in the history of Surat airport,” said another official involved in the investigation.
The operation, officials noted, underscores the importance of behavioural profiling and the strong coordination between the CISF and Customs departments, which led to the successful interception.(Agencies)
