Customs Seize Gold Worth Over Rs50m at Jinnah International Airport

Pakistan Customs officials at Jinnah International Airport (JIAP), Karachi, have thwarted two separate attempts to smuggle gold and undeclared foreign currency during passenger clearance at the International Departures terminal, officials said on Friday.

In the two incidents, Customs seized a total of 10 STB gold bars weighing 100 tolas, along with undeclared foreign currency amounting to USD 11,900. The combined value of the recovered items is estimated at approximately PKR 50.68 million. First Information Reports (FIRs) have been registered under relevant provisions of the Customs Act, 1969.

In the first case, Customs intercepted a passenger travelling to Dubai on flight FZ-330 after baggage scanning raised suspicion of concealed precious metal. A joint examination of the luggage led to the recovery of three STB gold bars, each weighing 10 tolas, hidden inside mobile phones. Authorities also recovered USD 4,900 in undeclared foreign currency from the passenger’s wallet. The total value of the seizure in this case is estimated at around PKR 15.68 million.

In an earlier operation, another passenger bound for Istanbul on flight TK-709 was stopped after scanners detected possible concealment of gold. During a detailed examination, seven STB gold bars weighing 10 tolas each were recovered from the passenger’s baggage. A subsequent body search resulted in the seizure of USD 7,000 in undeclared foreign currency. The value of this case is estimated at approximately PKR 35 million.

Customs officials confirmed that all recovered gold and foreign currency have been seized, and legal proceedings are underway to determine further responsibility.