DRI Seizes Rs 1 Crore Gold at Karipur Airport, Found Concealed in Baby's Diaper

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence has seized smuggled gold valued at approximately Rs 1 crore at Karipur airport after an eight-month-old infant was allegedly used to conceal contraband, officials confirmed on Wednesday. The interception was carried out by an enforcement team from the DRI Kozhikode unit following the arrival of an international flight.

According to officials, approximately half a kilogram of gold compound was discovered concealed inside the diaper of the eight-month-old baby. The market value of the gold compound recovered directly from the infant's diaper was estimated by authorities to be nearly Rs 50 lakh.

The infant had arrived at Karipur airport on Tuesday night on a flight from Ras Al Khaimah in the United Arab Emirates. The child was accompanied on the journey by its father and two other children. Enforcement officials confirmed that the family is from Ponnani, situated in Malappuram district.

The DRI team initiated the inspection after acting on a prior tip-off alerting them to a potential gold-smuggling attempt at the airport. Based on the intelligence input, officials intercepted the father, the infant, and the other two children upon arrival to carry out an inspection.

A subsequent search of the father resulted in the recovery of an additional quantity of gold compound that was allegedly concealed on his body. When combined with the contraband found in the child's diaper, the total value of the seized gold compound was estimated at around Rs 1 crore.

Officials stated that a detailed investigation is currently under way to establish the source from which the gold originated, determine who was behind the operation, and ascertain whether any other individuals were involved. The DRI is also carrying out inquiries to verify whether the father had concealed gold using the child on previous occasions.