Smugglers have been found following different modus operandi including use of newly wed couples and airport staff as carriers to avoid suspicion while smuggling gold, customs officials said.
During 2014-15, a total of 230 people were arrested by customs officials in 388 cases of gold smuggling. About 596 kgs of gold worth Rs 155 crore was seized in these cases, they said.
Whereas, in 2013-14, about 363 cases were registered in which 353 kgs gold worth Rs 92 crore was seized. A total of 123 people were arrested for smuggling, the officials said.
"The customs officials are maintaining a strict vigil. They are keeping a close watch on flights coming from Middle East and other sectors to check smuggling," said Vinayak Azaad, Additional Commissioner of customs at the airport.
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A couple from Gujarat was recently arrested at the IGIA with 1.5 kg of gold jewellery which they were trying to smuggle in on return for flight tickets for a foreign nation where the yellow metal comes cheap, besides Rs 20,000 each.
The cases of gold smuggling have been on rise across the country also.
A total of 4,400 cases of gold smuggling were registered in the country during 2014-15. About 4,480 kgs of the precious metal valued at about Rs 1,120 crore was seized and 252 people arrested, as per official figures.
As many as 870 cases of gold smuggling were registered in 2012-13, five times less than those in 2014-15, and about 400 kgs of yellow metal worth Rs 100 crore seized.