NEW DELHI — In a significant contraband intercept, Air Customs officers stationed at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport recovered a massive haul of precious metals, including rare historical artifacts, from two international passengers arriving from Doha.

The enforcement action unfolded on September 2, when border control authorities intercepted two suspects upon landing at Terminal 3. A detailed physical examination of their baggage led to the discovery of 20.883 kilograms of undeclared gold and silver coins. The total tariff value of the intercepted cache is estimated at ₹47.16 lakh.

The seized consignment contained a total of 484 silver coins alongside one high-purity gold coin. Recognizing the distinct antique markings and potential antiquity of the currency, officials called in experts from the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) to evaluate the stash. Following preliminary expert assessments, the ASI confirmed that 134 of the recovered silver coins hold clear archaeological significance.

The passengers had attempted to walk through clearance channels without declaring the high-value items, according to a official statement released by the customs department.

All items have been impounded under Section 110 of the Customs Act, 1962, which governs the seizure of goods, documents, and things liable to confiscation. Authorities are conducting further investigations to establish the source, origin, and intended destination of the historical artifacts, as well as potential links to international smuggling syndicates.