How Dubai-returned couple smuggling in 28kg of gold paste was intercepted at Surat airport: 'Unusual walking style ...'

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A couple returning from Dubai was recently intercepted at the Surat airport for allegedly smuggling in over 20 kg of gold paste by concealing it under their clothes. It was the couple's unusual walking pattern which caught the attention of a vigilant officer.

According to officials, the Gujarat residents were first noticed by an official of the Central Industrial Security Force's (CISF) intelligence wing who was dressed in plain clothes. The incident took place on the night of July 20 when the couple had just deboarded an Air India flight.

"The duo caught the officer's attention due to their unusual walking pattern and slight bulges around their abdominal area, which did not match the natural body contour," a senior CISF officer told news agency PTI.

Upon thorough physical checks at the airport, around 28kg of gold paste was found neatly strapped around the couple's midsections and upper torsos.

"A total of 28 kg of gold paste was found neatly strapped around their midsections and upper torsos -- 16 kg on the woman and 12 kg on the man. Based on concentration levels of the paste, officials estimate the pure gold yield to be over 20 kg," the officer said.

The couple was intercepted by the Customs authorities at the airport after the CISF official raised an alarm. While the man was dressed in a shirt and trousers, the woman was wearing a salwar suit.

Another official who is part of the investigation said, "This is likely the biggest gold haul in the history of Surat airport".

The operation highlights the vital role of "behavioural profiling and the strong synergy" between CISF and Customs, the officer said.