In a bold attempt to smuggle gold, culprits tampered with the wiring of an Indigo A320 aircraft, concealing 4.5 kilograms of gold bars within the lavatory’s electrical system. This incident, which reveals a potentially dangerous manipulation of aircraft components, has raised alarms over the sophisticated methods employed by smugglers.
The operation involved hiding rectangular gold bars, each featuring a hole in the center, by securing them to aircraft wires with a padlock and a three-digit combination lock. This intricate method of concealment was discovered when workers sanitizing the plane noticed tampering with the electrical box in the lavatory. The flight, which had arrived from Abu Dhabi the previous night, was set to depart for Hyderabad shortly after the discovery.
“The fact that the smuggler(s) opened the aircraft part effortlessly means they know how stuff works in the aircraft and had the knack of concealing it using specific tools,” a seasoned pilot commented, highlighting the insider knowledge likely possessed by the smugglers. While crucial aircraft components cannot be accessed from the lavatory, ensuring passenger safety, the pilot acknowledged that basic electrical wires for lighting and other lavatory functions could be compromised with specialized tools.
The discovery was made just in time as the Indigo plane was preparing for its domestic leg to Hyderabad. Safety officers had to cut the cable and forcibly open the padlock to retrieve the gold bars, which were wrapped in black adhesive tape.
Authorities are taking this new smuggling technique seriously, launching an inquiry to understand the full extent of the operation. “Smugglers resort to extreme methods to evade suspicion of enforcement agencies,” stated a customs official, who noted the precision and training required to execute such a scheme mid-flight. The investigation is also exploring whether a ground staffer at Chennai airport might have been involved, intended to retrieve the gold for the smugglers, or if the cargo was ultimately bound for Hyderabad.
This incident not only underscores the lengths to which smugglers will go to transport illegal goods but also highlights the potential safety risks posed by tampering with aircraft systems. The case is under active investigation as authorities work to prevent similar attempts in the future.
Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, timesofindia.indiatimes.com
