Customs officials at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi have uncovered two significant cases of gold smuggling, resulting in the seizure of over 3.17 kilograms of gold valued at around 4.35 crore rupees. Three foreign nationals, including a woman from Chad, have been arrested in connection with these cases. The officials noted that the gold was smuggled in a cleverly concealed manner and highlighted the success of their profiling and surveillance methods in apprehending the suspects.

The first case, dated February 26, involved a 39-year-old woman from Chad who arrived in Delhi from Addis Ababa a day prior. Customs authorities had placed her under surveillance due to suspicious activity indicated in her profile. As she attempted to exit the airport, she was detained, leading to a thorough inspection of her luggage where the smuggled gold was discovered. The authorities have since seized the gold under the Customs Act, initiating further investigation into the suspects' activities.

The seizure represents a growing concern regarding gold smuggling operations in India, with officials emphasizing the importance of rigorous monitoring at airports to combat these illicit activities. The ongoing investigations are expected to reveal more information concerning the smuggling networks and how these individuals were able to transport such a large quantity of gold across borders, potentially linking them to larger trafficking operations.