Custom officials at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport in Delhi apprehended an individual attempting to sneak 200 grams of gold within his phone battery. The officials grew concerned upon observing the passenger’s inexpensive phone, which seemed out of place with his overall look.
The man traveling from Dammam, Saudi Arabia, to Delhi was detained after his phone betrayed him.
Per a high-ranking airport security official, the suspect arrived at Terminal 3 of IGI Airport on a flight from Dammam. As he exited the terminal, his phone caught the attention of a Custom Air Preventive officer.
During the inspection of the individual, no alarming items were detected; however, when customs officials inspected his Rs 400 phone, they found approximately 200 grams of gold inside the two batteries.
Following the recovery of the gold, the individual was taken into custody. As per a senior customs official, smugglers engaged in gold smuggling are now attempting to transport gold not only through foreign routes but also through local ones. Air Intelligence units are currently being stationed at both international and domestic terminals.
The Uzbek citizen was recently detained by the Customs Air Preventive Unit at Terminal 3. He was found with gold jewellery valued at around Rs 1.80 crore.