Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International airport sees 65% rise in gold smuggling

As gold prices rise in the Indian market, incidents of gold smuggling have sharply increased. 

According to data from intelligence agencies, 241.1kg of smuggled gold was seized at the Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International (SVPI) airport in FY 2024 by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) and the Ahmedabad Customs department. 

This marks a 65% increase compared to the 146.4kg seized in FY 2023.

This surge has brought gold seizures to a five-year high at the city airport. 

Customs data shows that 170kg of gold was seized in FY 2024, the highest in five years. 

Previously, 107.23kg of smuggled gold was seized in FY 2020.

According to jewellers, the sharp rise in gold prices has led more people to procure gold through unofficial channels to evade duties and taxes.