# Gold and silver smuggling in India

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/gold-and-silver-smuggling-in-india
> Updated: 2026-09-04T17:30:13.000Z. Sources: 16. Developments: 4.

Authorities in India continue to intercept multiple attempts to smuggle precious metals via airports and land borders, a trend officials link to the Union Finance Ministry’s decision to increase the gold import duty from 6% to 15%.

At Chennai International Airport, customs officials seized approximately 2 kg of gold, valued at roughly Rs 3 crore, from a Myanmar couple arriving from Bangkok. In a separate airport incident at Ahmedabad’s Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport, a couple from Kerala was intercepted with 219.43 grams of gold jewellery worth Rs 28.87 lakh arriving from Sharjah.

On the India-Nepal border, the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) apprehended two Nepalese nationals at the New Mechi Bridge in West Bengal with gold and silver. Following a collision between a Suzuki Brezza SUV and a police vehicle on the Agra-Lucknow expressway on August 22, police recovered over 10 kg of 24K gold valued at approximately 153.9 million rupees. The occupants, Sandeep Jaiswal and Saroj Pant, both Nepalese nationals, could not provide documentation for the ten gold bars. Investigators believe the gold was being moved from the India-Nepal border toward Delhi via Gorakhpur as part of an international smuggling ring using a code and license plate verification system.

Along the India-Bangladesh border, the Border Security Force (BSF) intercepted two major attempts. In West Bengal’s Nadia district, the BSF 32nd Battalion seized over 11.28 kilograms of gold biscuits worth approximately 17.40 crore rupees, resulting in the arrest of a Bangladeshi national. In North 24 Parganas, three Bangladeshi nationals were arrested for attempting to smuggle silver jewellery after allegedly attacking a BSF personnel during a confrontation.

## Claims

- Indian police seized over 10 kg of 24K gold. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The gold is valued at approximately 153.9 million rupees. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Two individuals were detained for investigation. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The detainees are Sandeep Jaiswal, 29, and Saroj Pant, 33, both of Nepalese nationality. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The incident occurred on August 22. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- The gold was discovered after a Suzuki Brezza collided with a police vehicle on the Agra-Lucknow expressway. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Authorities suspect the seizure is linked to an international gold smuggling ring. (corroborated by 3 sources)
- Investigators are tracing the route from the India-Nepal border through Gorakhpur to Delhi. (corroborated by 3 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-09-04: BSF intercepts major gold and silver smuggling attempts at India-Bangladesh border

The BSF intercepted major smuggling attempts at the India-Bangladesh border, seizing 11.28kg of gold worth 17.40 crore rupees and arresting individuals involved in silver smuggling and attacks on personnel.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/bsf-intercepts-major-gold-and-silver-smuggling-attempts-at-india-bangladesh-border

### 2026-08-26: Indian police seize 10 kg of 24K gold worth 42 billion VND

Indian police seized over 10 kg of 24K gold worth 153.9 million rupees after a vehicle collision on the Agra-Lucknow expressway. Two Nepalese nationals are in custody amid a smuggling investigation.

4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/indian-police-seize-10-kg-of-24k-gold-worth-42-billion-vnd

### 2026-08-16: Two Nepalese nationals detained with gold and silver at India-Nepal border

Two Nepalese citizens were detained at the India-Nepal border in West Bengal after SSB troops seized undeclared gold and silver bars and ornaments during a routine vehicle check.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/two-nepalese-nationals-detained-with-gold-and-silver-at-india-nepal-border

### 2026-08-16: Customs officials seize 2 kg of gold at Chennai Airport

Customs officials in India seized 2 kg of gold worth Rs 3 crore from a Myanmar couple at Chennai Airport, following an increase in gold import duties.

10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/customs-officials-seize-2-kg-of-gold-at-chennai-airport

---
Cite as: Gold and silver smuggling in India. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/gold-and-silver-smuggling-in-india