Dubai passenger lands in Delhi with Rs 4 crore gold, but Customs find it in an unlikely hiding spot

A bid to smuggle gold worth about Rs 4.03 crore was foiled at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport after Customs officers intercepted an Indian passenger arriving from Dubai, PTI reported on Monday.

The gold rods, weighing 3.2 kg, were found concealed inside a floor spring during a detailed search of the passenger's baggage. A case has been registered under the Customs Act, 1962, and an investigation is underway.

According to an official statement, the passenger arrived at the airport on October 19 and was intercepted by Customs officers based on spot profiling.

A floor spring is a mechanical device installed beneath the floor, usually near a door, to control its opening and closing and ensure that it shuts automatically. In this case, the device was allegedly used to conceal the gold rods and evade detection.

Customs officers seized the 3.2 kg of gold, valued at approximately Rs 4.03 crore, and registered a case under the Customs Act, 1962. Further investigation is underway, the statement said.