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Smuggling in India Report 2024-25 52

140 132 35
32
120 30
kg 100 25
in 80 20 cases
Quantity 60 15 45 10 33 10 46 15 of No.

40
10
20 5 22 8 15 12 7 12 4 5
0 0
Kozhikode

Airports
Quantity (in kg) No. of seizures

Figure 5: Airport-wise seizures comparison

f. Use of domestic ights

Smugglers hide gold inside aircraft during international legs and retrieve it on connect-
ed or onward domestic runs, exploiting the lack of customs checks for domestic travel.
Contraband is concealed behind seat panels, under tray tables, in lavatory panels, cabin
lighting, or life jacket compartments. Sometimes, domestic passengers using fake IDs
collect them after multiple legs. Collusion by cabin crew and ground handlers makes
this tactic especially hard to detect. In FY 2024-25, DRI seized 15 kg gold in 6 cases
involving domestic leg of international flights.

g. Smuggling through collusion of passengers (including tran-
sit) with airport staě

The airport transit area, where international transit passengers await transfers without
immigration clearance, is being increasingly exploited for gold smuggling. Syndicates
hand over gold to insiders such as duty-free staff, cleaners, and other service providers,
who misuse Airport Entry Pass (AEP) to access various areas of the airport. Further,
while passengers, baggage, and cargo undergo multiple security checks, airport staff
undergo limited scrutiny. Insider involvement complicates detection, but DRI has suc-
cessfully disrupted such networks. In FY 2024–25, DRI has effected 8 gold seizures
involving insiders, resulting in the recovery of approximately 35 kg of gold and the
arrest of 12 individuals.

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