Rajasthan : Gold Worth ₹70 Lakh Recovered from Passenger's Private Part at Jaipur Airport, Smuggling Mastermind Arrested

March 27, 2025 — Jaipur, Crime Desk : In a high-stakes operation, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) seized worth ₹70 lakh hidden in the private part of a passenger at Jaipur International . The shocking bust also led to the arrest of the alleged mastermind behind the smuggling operation, revealing a deeper network spanning across and international routes.

772 Grams of Gold Concealed as Paste, Smuggling Foiled

The gold was smuggled in the form of paste, cleverly hidden inside the body cavity of the accused passenger who had arrived on an Air Arabia flight from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. While initial customs screening didn’t reveal anything suspicious, the passenger’s behavior raised red flags for the alert DRI team.

Officials obtained urgent court permission to perform an X-ray scan, which revealed the concealed gold. Upon extraction, the total weight of the recovered gold was 772 grams, estimated to be worth nearly ₹70 lakh in the current market.

Mastermind Identified as Ajay Fagodia, From Rajasthan

Upon interrogation, the passenger disclosed the identity of the smuggling mastermind — Ajay Fagodia, who had traveled with him on the same flight. Acting swiftly, DRI officers apprehended Fagodia at the airport. Sources within the agency believe his network runs deep, especially in Sikar and Nagaur, where young men are reportedly recruited as carriers for ₹10,000–₹20,000 per trip.

Ajay Fagodia has reportedly been under surveillance by intelligence agencies for some due to his consistent involvement in high-value smuggling operations.

Wider Network Under Scanner

DRI officials confirmed that multiple operatives are now under investigation, and they anticipate significant revelations during further interrogation. Authorities believe this arrest could lead to the unraveling of an organized smuggling syndicate operating across states and international borders.