DRI seizes nearly 20 kg of gold from 25 passengers arriving from Singapore at Chennai airport

In a major operation at Chennai International Airport, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) seized nearly 20 kg of gold from 25 passengers arriving on flights from Singapore.

According to Indian media reports, the overnight operation concluded in the early hours of Monday and marks one of the largest hauls by DRI in recent months.

The seized gold (19.5kg), reportedly 22-carat purity, is valued at an estimated ₹15 crore (S$2.38 million) in the market.

Based on specific intelligence, DRI agents intercepted passengers from Scoot Airways, Air India, and Indigo Airlines, all of whom arrived from Singapore within a few hours of each other.

Officials identified passengers carrying gold concealed in pouches within their attire. The gold quantities ranged between 600 grams and slightly over 1 kg, with a total of 25 passengers, including eight women, detained.

The detained passengers were handed over to the Air Intelligence Unit of Chennai Customs, which has initiated a follow-up investigation.

Initial reports indicate that the passengers were likely engaged by multiple smuggling cartels, pointing to an organised network.

Customs officials have stated that the detainees would likely be released on bail since the individual amounts of gold do not meet the threshold for remand.

Further investigations are underway to explore possible involvement by customs officers on duty, as 25 individuals smuggling gold in one night has raised suspicions of insider assistance.

A senior customs official stated that the number of passengers carrying gold simultaneously suggests a coordinated operation that may have required inside help.

Authorities believe that smugglers are now increasingly favouring 22-carat gold, which is relatively cheaper in Singapore than in India, thus yielding higher profits. The operation reflects ongoing efforts by Indian authorities to tackle gold smuggling networks.

This incident represents the second-largest single-day gold seizure at Chennai Airport, exceeded only by a September 2023 seizure of 13 kg of gold, along with iPhones, Google phones, and other high-value items valued at ₹3.5 crore, from passengers on a flight from Muscat.

To combat smuggling, the Indian government reduced import duties on gold and silver earlier this year, lowering rates from 15% to 6%, which includes a 5% basic customs duty and a 1% Agriculture Infrastructure & Development Cess (AIDC).

Officials hope the move will encourage legal imports and help curb smuggling in India, the world’s second-largest consumer of gold.

Indian regulations allow male travellers to carry up to 20 grams of gold valued at ₹50,000 (S$792) and female travellers up to 40 grams worth ₹100,000 without customs duty. Children under 15 also have a 40-gram duty-free limit, enabling families to bring limited amounts of gold without tax liabilities.

This large-scale seizure highlights the enduring profitability of gold smuggling, even amidst policy reforms aimed at reducing the allure of smuggling for organised cartels.