Authorities in Vietnam have detained four airline passengers after discovering more than 12 kilograms of metal believed to be gold concealed on their bodies at an international airport in Hanoi. The discovery was made during routine screening procedures, raising suspicions of an attempted smuggling operation.
Officials from Vietnam Customs reported that the passengers were intercepted after arriving at Noi Bai International Airport on a flight from Taiwan. The incident occurred inside the arrivals area of Terminal 2, which handles international passengers entering the country.
Airport screening equipment initially flagged irregularities during baggage checks. The travellers had also failed to declare any valuables at customs, prompting officers to conduct a more detailed inspection of their belongings and personal items.
Suspicious X-Ray Scan Leads To Body Search
The initial baggage screening triggered concern among officers when unusual shapes appeared during the X-ray scan. Customs personnel then worked alongside investigators from the anti-smuggling unit and local police in Hanoi to conduct further checks.
During the investigation, authorities discovered numerous pieces of yellow-coloured metal hidden directly on the passengers’ bodies. The items were concealed beneath clothing, including in undergarments and other areas intended to avoid detection during routine inspections.
Investigators believe the individuals may have been attempting to bypass customs regulations by carrying the valuables on their bodies rather than placing them inside their luggage.
Gold Bars Allegedly Hidden Inside Clothing And Underwear
According to officials, one of the travellers was found carrying the largest quantity. The passenger, identified by the initials P.T.H, allegedly had ten pieces of metal weighing roughly five kilograms concealed within clothing, including inside underwear and the bra area.
Another traveller, identified as V.T.M, was discovered with five pieces of metal weighing approximately 1.1 kilograms. A third passenger, N.V.L, was carrying nine pieces with a combined weight of about 3.5 kilograms.
The fourth traveller, identified as C.S.M.H, was reportedly found with seven pieces of metal weighing around 2.7 kilograms. In total, authorities seized approximately 12.3 kilograms of yellow metal suspected to be gold bars.
Officials noted that hiding precious metals directly on the body is a tactic sometimes used by smugglers attempting to evade airport detection systems.
Case Handed Over To Police For Criminal Investigation
Following the discovery, the passengers and the confiscated metal were transferred to investigators from the Hanoi Police for further examination.
Authorities said the case shows signs of potential criminal activity, although the investigation remains ongoing. The metal pieces have been sent for laboratory analysis to confirm whether they are genuine gold and to determine their exact value.
If confirmed as gold, the seized items could be worth a substantial sum depending on purity and market prices.
Investigators are also reviewing travel documents and other evidence to determine whether the passengers were acting independently or as part of a larger smuggling network.
Officials said more details will be released once the testing process is completed and the investigation progresses further.