New Delhi, May 16 -- Customs officials stationed at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi have intercepted an American national of Indian origin carrying 115 smuggled gold bars. The contraband, weighing approximately 3.5 kilograms, was discovered hidden inside a uniquely modified belt, authorities confirmed on Saturday.

In an official statement, senior Customs officials monitoring illegal trade patterns noted that this significant bust "directly correlates" with a sudden spike in gold smuggling attempts over the past week. This surge follows a recent policy shift that increased the Customs duty on gold imports from 6 percent to 15 percent, drastically altering illicit market dynamics and profit margins for smugglers.

Acti...