KUWAIT CITY, Oct 19: In a meticulously executed operation at Hyderabad’s Rajiv Gandhi International Airport, customs officials apprehended an Indian expat arriving from Kuwait who allegedly attempted to smuggle nearly two kilograms of gold into India. Acting on precise intelligence, officers intercepted the suspect’s checked-in baggage. They uncovered gold valued at approximately ₹2.37 crore (approximately 79,856 Kuwaiti Dinars), concealed in a metallic lock through sophisticated means designed to evade detection.

According to official sources, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Hyderabad Zonal Unit, received a tip-off regarding a passenger suspected of carrying contraband aboard a flight from Kuwait. Upon arrival, customs teams moved swiftly, isolating the individual and subjecting the luggage to detailed scrutiny. What appeared to be an ordinary suitcase soon revealed a hidden cache: five solid gold bars and two pieces of cut gold, weighing a total of 1,798 grams.

Investigators described the concealment technique as unusually intricate. The gold bars had been cleverly stashed inside the metallic lock mechanism of the baggage door — a spot rarely examined during routine screening. The two smaller gold pieces were camouflaged within a plastic pouch filled with sunflower seeds, apparently an attempt to mislead scanners and divert suspicion.

Officials say the level of planning underscores the evolving sophistication of smuggling operations originating from Gulf routes. However, their vigilance and swift coordination between the airport customs and DRI ensured the attempt was thwarted before the contraband entered the domestic market.

The accused passenger has been taken into custody for further questioning, and a detailed investigation is underway to determine whether the individual was acting independently or as part of a wider smuggling network. Authorities reaffirmed their commitment to cracking down on such transnational gold smuggling operations, which continue to pose significant challenges to India’s economic security.