Dozens of passengers, suspected of smuggling gold, managed to escape detention at Lucknow’s Chaudhary Charan Singh Airport. One individual feigned illness, causing a commotion and facilitating the escape of all 30 passengers detained by customs and police officials. Authorities have initiated a search operation to locate and apprehend the fleeing individuals.
The incident occurred after the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) and Customs Department intercepted 36 passengers arriving from Sharjah on Monday. During the inspection, officials seized contraband cigarettes worth over ₹3 crore and cash amounting to ₹23.90 lakh. Additionally, six passengers declared possession of gold.
Meanwhile, in a separate development, Mumbai Customs uncovered over 2.52 kg of gold worth ₹1.46 crores in five separate incidents since March 31. The smuggled gold was concealed within clothing, on passengers’ bodies, and beneath a baggage trolley.
In March, Mumbai Customs seized foreign currency and items valued at ₹10.60 crore across eight cases at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. These seizures included currencies, diamonds, and gold concealed within luggage, personal belongings, and body orifices.
