New Delhi: Customs authorities at Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi have seized 10 high-end professional drones valued at approximately Rs 1.03 crore from three Indian passengers arriving from Hong Kong via Vietnam. The interception took place on September 25 at Terminal 3 after surveillance teams acted on specific intelligence regarding undeclared aerial equipment being brought into the country.
The travellers were stopped while attempting to walk through the Green Channel without declaring the dutiable and restricted goods. A comprehensive physical examination of their baggage resulted in the recovery of 10 Autel Robotics MDX-1 unmanned aerial vehicles, along with remote controllers, camera gimbals, extra propellers, data cables, joysticks, and an iPhone 18 Pro Max.
A technical evaluation conducted by an empanelled Chartered Engineer established that the seized equipment consisted of military and defence-grade drones equipped with thermal imaging capabilities and precision laser range finders. The assessment confirmed that these high-capacity devices are legally mandated to have prior clearances and formal registration with the Directorate General of Civil Aviation before entry into Indian airspace.
The total market value of the confiscated aerial devices and accompanying electronics has been calculated at Rs 1,03,55,900. Customs officials apprehended the three individuals and seized the entire consignment under Section 110(1) of the Customs Act, 1962. Investigators are currently interrogating the passengers to trace the procurement network in Hong Kong and determine the intended recipients within the country.
