Six Uzbek women traveling from Dubai to Turkey were detained at Izmir Adnan Menderes airport on October 2, 2024, for attempting to smuggle 18.5 kg of gold, along with several high-value electronics, worth an estimated $1.6mn.
The women were intercepted by officers from the Turkish Anti-Smuggling and Organized Crime Directorate shortly after disembarking their flight. Each woman was found to be concealing over 1.5 kg of gold, totaling 84 gold bars hidden within their bodies. In addition to the concealed gold, law enforcement discovered 82 additional gold bars weighing 110 grams each in their luggage and under their clothing.
The search also yielded 18 PlayStation consoles and three new iPhone 16s, suggesting the women had plans to sell the contraband in a market where sanctions have restricted access to gold and electronics.
The operation to recover the hidden gold bars required surgical intervention. Following their arrest, a medical examination was conducted, resulting in the removal of 84 gold bars weighing a total of 9 kg from the women's bodies. This surgical procedure was critical in uncovering the full extent of the smuggling attempt.
In connection with the smuggling operation, seven individuals were arrested: the six women and one male greeter who was waiting for them at the airport. The Turkish authorities are investigating further to determine the broader implications of this smuggling attempt and whether additional accomplices are involved.
With the total weight of the confiscated gold amounting to 18.5 kg and a market value estimated at TRY 55mn (approximately $1.6mn), this case highlights the ongoing challenges faced by law enforcement in combating smuggling and organized crime.
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