Gold smuggling surges again in Kerala as Customs and DRI seize gold from passengers at Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi airports amid soaring gold prices.

Thiruvananthapuram: Gold smugglers are resurfacing in Kerala’s airports as soaring market prices drive a new wave of illegal imports. On Sunday, officers from the Customs Department and the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) intercepted multiple smuggling attempts at the Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi airports, seizing nearly a kilogram of contraband gold.

Officials confirmed that 360 grams were recovered from a passenger at Thiruvananthapuram, while another 630 grams were found abandoned on a Kochi-bound aircraft. Customs sources say the trend marks a clear resurgence after months of decline following the Centre’s earlier cut in import duty.

Authorities report increasingly sophisticated concealment tactics, with gold being molded into ornaments or hidden in clothing and body cavities. In the first seven months of 2025 alone, Kerala recorded 87 smuggling cases involving more than 40 kg of gold valued at approximately ₹32 crore.

Analysis:
The spike in smuggling underscores how economic fluctuations directly shape underground trade. As gold prices climb, Kerala — a key hub for Gulf-returning passengers — becomes a hotspot for illicit inflows. Experts suggest a dual approach: stronger surveillance and public awareness about the legal consequences of smuggling. Without sustained enforcement, the state’s airports could once again turn into corridors for black-market bullion.