Passengers hiding gold in their socks and clothing have been stopped at Tashkent International Airport, as Uzbek customs officers intercepted nearly two kilograms of undeclared jewelry.

Customs officials seized a total of 1.9 kilograms of gold items during several inspections. The jewelry had been concealed in socks, underwear, trouser pockets, and even attached inside luggage, The Caspian Post reports via Uzbek media.

In one case, a passenger arriving from Istanbul and passing through the “green corridor” was checked using a non-contact scanner. Officers discovered approximately 710 grams of gold jewelry hidden in his socks and underwear, with an estimated value of 833 million soums ($67.457 million). The items had not been declared.

Another traveler from Türkiye attempted to smuggle gold in his trouser pockets and socks. Customs officials confiscated 803 grams of jewelry valued at around 907 million soums ($73.450 million).

In a separate incident, a passenger flying from Tashkent to Almaty was caught after X-ray screening revealed gold chains weighing about 350 grams attached to a metal base inside his suitcase. The estimated value of the seized items is 549 million soums ($44.458 million). The passenger claimed the suitcase had been handed to him by an acquaintance and said he was unaware of the hidden valuables.

Customs officials continue to tighten control at border checkpoints, warning that attempts to illegally transport precious metals will result in confiscation and legal consequences.