New Delhi, May 16 -- In a significant crackdown on gold smuggling, the Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) of Customs at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport intercepted an American national of Indian origin on Friday, recovering 115 gold bars weighing 3,565 grams concealed in specially designed inner pockets of his trousers.

The value of the seized items is over Rs 5.5 crore.

The suspect arrived in New Delhi on Air India flight AI-4174 from San Francisco and was nabbed after he attempted to slip through the Green Channel without declaring the contraband.

The interception was based on risk-based profiling of passengers, following which customs officials set up a stealth vigil at the international arrival terminal.

A thorough personal sea...