Air India Passenger's Refusal of Refreshments on Flight Leads to Arrest at Delhi Airport

A passenger on Air India flight AI 992 from Jeddah to Delhi was arrested at Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport for smuggling gold worth ₹69 lakh. Authorities became suspicious when he consistently declined refreshments during the flight, leading to his apprehension.

According to a reports, an unnamed man declined all refreshments during a five-and-a-half-hour Air India flight. He refused water when offered by a flight attendant and turned down all food and drinks. Concerned about his actions, the flight attendant alerted the captain, who then informed security agencies through Air Traffic Control about the passenger's suspicious behavior.

When the Air India flight landed in Delhi, security personnel kept a close watch on the passenger. He attempted to use the Green Customs Clearance Channel but was stopped and questioned. Upon questioning, the man admitted to concealing gold worth over ₹69 lakhs in his rectum. The gold paste was hidden in four oval capsules.

Joint Commissioner (Customs) Monika Yadav reported that about 1096.76 grams of gold were found on the Air India passenger. He confessed to smuggling the gold from Jeddah and has been arrested under applicable sections of the Customs Act. An investigation into the incident is now underway.

Cabin crew have been told to watch out for passengers who decline all food and drinks on long flights, as there is concern they may be smuggling gold in their bodies.

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