Indian Customs at Work – Modus Operandi in Gold Smuggling at International Airports – An Analysis
Gold is one of the most sought-after metals in India and is used as an asset to tide over emergencies and continues to be so even in modern times. It is the international passengers holding a valid Indian Passport issued under the Passport Act 1967 and the persons of Indian Origin who are eligible to import gold and manufacturers thereof as part of their baggage while arriving into the country. They are mandatorily required to report at the Red Channel and pay the applicable customs duty in foreign currency. The article explores the different modus operandi deployed by various passengers, albeit during the currency of the current calendar year by Indian citizens as well as foreign nationals to smuggle gold into India at the time of their arrival into the country.