With gold prices soaring, India is experiencing a rise in smuggling incidents. Authorities like Customs and the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence are intensifying efforts to combat this trend, but smugglers are adapting with new methods. One such tactic involves smuggling gold paste, which is challenging to detect.
In a recent incident at Chennai Airport, the Air Intelligence Unit seized 9.46 kg of 24-carat gold paste from an Indian crew member of an Emirates flight. The smuggler concealed the gold paste in Velcro bands worn around his chest and waist. This seizure highlights the evolving strategies employed by smugglers to evade detection.
Intelligence officials emphasize the difficulty in detecting gold paste without specific information. Advanced scanners often fail to identify this material, making it a preferred choice for smugglers. Profiling passengers and analyzing travel patterns play a crucial role in apprehending suspects involved in gold smuggling operations.
Smugglers are exploiting the high demand and prices of gold in India to maximize profits through illegal means. By converting pure gold into paste form, adding impurities, and then reprocessing it, they can bypass duties and taxes, reaping substantial financial gains. This illicit trade poses a significant challenge for law enforcement agencies.
