Customs authorities at Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport have recovered gold worth more than Rs 4.26 crore from an IndiGo aircraft that arrived from Dubai, uncovering what officials described as a sophisticated smuggling attempt.
The seizure was made from flight 6E-1478 after officers carried out a detailed inspection of the aircraft following its arrival from the UAE.
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Gujarat | During the search conducted on IndiGo Flight No. 6E-1478 arriving from Dubai at SVPI Airport, Ahmedabad on 12.06.2026, Customs officials, with the help of Aircraft Engineers, seized two pouches wrapped in black plastic tape inside the speaker box located in the front… pic.twitter.com/vUoWIBIhxF
— ANI (@ANI) June 13, 2026
Gold found inside aircraft lavatory speaker
According to Customs officials, the recovered consignment comprised 24 gold biscuits of foreign origin weighing a total of 2,799.3 grams.
The gold was allegedly concealed inside the speaker box located in the aircraft’s front lavatory. During the search operation, officers, assisted by aircraft engineers, discovered suspicious packets wrapped in black plastic tape and hidden within the speaker compartment.
Officials suspect deliberate smuggling attempt
Officials said the concealment method suggested an attempt to smuggle the precious metal into India without detection.
Customs authorities said, “The manner of concealment indicates that the gold was concealed by an unknown person with the intention of smuggling it into India in violation of the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962.”
The department further noted that no individual came forward to claim ownership of the seized gold.
Gujarat | During the search conducted on IndiGo Flight No. 6E-1478 arriving from Dubai at SVPI Airport, Ahmedabad on 12.06.2026, Customs officials, with the help of Aircraft Engineers, seized two pouches wrapped in black plastic tape inside the speaker box located in the front… pic.twitter.com/rcn5s6KsSh
— ANI (@ANI) June 13, 2026
Probe widens into possible smuggling network links
“As no person came forward to claim the legal ownership of the seized gold, it was seized as unclaimed under the relevant provisions of the Customs Act, 1962,” the officials added.
The gold has since been taken into custody, and a formal investigation has been launched to determine how it was placed inside the aircraft and who was intended to retrieve it after landing.
Customs casts a wider net
The seizure highlights the continuing challenge faced by enforcement agencies in curbing gold smuggling through international air routes.
Ahmedabad airport has witnessed similar cases in the past involving gold concealed in aircraft lavatories, prompting authorities to intensify inspections of arriving international flights.
Customs officials are now examining possible links between the latest seizure and organized smuggling networks operating on Gulf-India routes.
The Customs Department has not announced any arrests in connection with the case so far. Investigators are reviewing evidence and examining flight-related details as they work to identify those responsible for the smuggling attempt.
FAQs
Q1: What was seized from the IndiGo flight arriving from Dubai?
Ans: Customs officials seized 2.79 kg of foreign-origin gold worth Rs 4.26 crore from an IndiGo flight that landed in Ahmedabad from Dubai.
Q2: Where was the gold hidden on the Dubai-Ahmedabad IndiGo flight?
Ans: The gold biscuits were concealed inside a speaker box located in the aircraft’s front lavatory, according to Ahmedabad Customs officials.
