NewzVille Desk
In a remarkable demonstration of sharp surveillance and inter-agency coordination, the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) played a crucial role in uncovering what is believed to be the largest-ever gold smuggling attempt at Surat International Airport.
At around 10:00 PM on Sunday, a CISF intelligence staff member, deployed in civil clothes at the international arrival area, observed suspicious behavior exhibited by a middle-aged Indian couple arriving on Air India Flight IX-174 from Dubai to Surat. The Gujarati residents caught the officer’s attention due to their unusual walking pattern and slight bulges around the abdominal area, which didn’t match the natural body contour.
Acting swiftly, the officer maintained discreet surveillance and alerted senior Customs officials about his observations. Based on his tip-off, Customs authorities conducted a detailed physical check of the couple, both dressed in traditional attire — the man in a shirt and trousers, and the woman in a salwar suit.
What followed was a stunning discovery. A total of 28 kilograms of gold paste was found expertly strapped around their midsections and upper torsos — 16 kg with the woman and 12 kg with the man. Based on concentration levels of the paste, officials estimate the pure gold yield to be over 23 kg, valued around Rs 21 Crore.
“This is likely the biggest gold haul in the airport’s history,” said an official close to the investigation. “The operation highlights the vital role of behavioral profiling and the strong synergy between CISF and Customs.”
