DRI unravels gold smuggling syndicate in Ahmedabad after seizing nearly 1.3 kg 24K gold worth 1.62 crore from a passenger; Four, including airline staff, arrested

The Indian Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has successfully dismantled a significant gold smuggling syndicate operating through SVP International Airport, Ahmedabad. This extensive operation led to the seizure of nearly 1.3 kg of 24K gold, valued at ₹1.62 crore, and the subsequent arrest of four individuals, critically including two senior airline staff members. The arrests highlight a severe breach in airport security protocols and internal airline integrity, raising substantial concerns about the vulnerabilities within commercial flight operations.

The investigation commenced following the interception of a passenger arriving on a flight from Jeddah on November 14, 2025. DRI officials discovered the gold, ingeniously concealed within a life jacket pouch beneath a passenger seat on the aircraft. Subsequent inquiries swiftly identified a key coordinator, who also managed a local café in Ahmedabad, responsible for recruiting carriers and orchestrating the smuggling attempts. This individual's activities provided crucial leads into the broader, organized network.

A shocking development in the investigation revealed the direct complicity of two employees from a reputed airline: a Senior Executive (security) and an Assistant Manager (security). These individuals allegedly leveraged their positions to facilitate the smuggling attempts, bypassing established security checks. Digital evidence and corroborative statements indicate that this syndicate had successfully smuggled gold consignments worth approximately ₹16 crore in over ten instances within the preceding two months, underscoring the sophisticated and well-established nature of the criminal enterprise.

All four individuals involved in the syndicate, including the airline staff, now face charges under the provisions of the Customs Act 1962. The successful intervention by the Indian DRI reaffirms its unwavering commitment to combating organized crime and safeguarding national borders from illicit trade. This incident necessitates a comprehensive re-evaluation of security vulnerabilities within the civil aviation sector, particularly concerning insider threats and the potential for exploitation of airport and airline personnel.