Question : Smuggling by Airlines

(a) whether there have been instances where several airlines have been found to be indulged in smuggling of certain products abroad;

(b) if so, the details of such instances reported during the last three years and the current year, year-wise and airline-wise;

(c) the action taken against such airlines and the employees found involved therein;

(d) whether the Government is aware of gold smuggling with the help of ground staff at Indira Gandhi International Airport while changing connecting flight, if so, the details thereof; and

(e) the steps taken/being taken by the Government to prevent smuggling of goods through airports as well as keep a strict watch/vigil on the activities of the staff at various airports across the country?

Minister of State in the Ministry of CIVIL AVIATION
(Dr Mahesh Sharma)

(a): No instance of airlines indulging in smuggling has been detected by the Central Board of Excise and Customs (Anti-smuggling Unit) under the Ministry of Finance (Department of Revenue), a designated agency for this purpose.

(b) & (c): Do not arise in view of reply to Part (a) above.

(d): One (01) case has been detected in the year 2015-16 (upto 31st October, 2015) at Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi wherein involvement of ground staff was found in smuggling of gold while the passenger was changing to the connecting flight.

(e): The Government has sensitised the Customs field formations to keep constant vigil on attempts to smuggle goods. The Customs keep surveillance, gather intelligence, profile passengers and scan baggage and passengers to detect and prevent smuggling.