RGIA Airport Stops Passengers With ₹18 Crore Rolex Watches This Morning

Passengers carrying 30 Rolex watches worth ₹18 crore were briefly stopped at RGIA airport this morning for document checks. They were later allowed to leave.
By Newsroom | Travel, Security |

Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) authorities briefly detained two passengers carrying 30 high-value Rolex watches, reportedly worth ₹18 crore. The incident, which occurred this morning, saw officials examining the passengers' documentation and inquiring about the origin and purpose of the luxury timepieces.

The passengers were later cleared and allowed to proceed after authorities verified that their paperwork complied with all relevant regulations. Customs officials emphasized that such checks are standard procedure for high-value items, especially across state borders. This event underscores ongoing vigilance concerning the declaration and taxation of luxury goods at Indian airports.

Routine Checks or Heightened Scrutiny?

While the passengers were ultimately cleared, the initial detention highlights the perceived need for rigorous checks at RGIA. Reports suggest the watches were flagged during routine baggage scanning. This incident follows a pattern of seizures at the airport, including:

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  • ₹3 crore worth of drones, iPhones, and iWatches seized from two passengers arriving from Abu Dhabi on November 12, 2025. Officials suspected a larger smuggling network in that instance.

  • Other past incidents reported by RGIA include the seizure of gold paste worth over ₹80 lakh and cocaine worth ₹5 crore.

The repeated instances of seizures at RGIA, spanning electronics and precious metals, point towards a persistent effort by authorities to police the movement of high-value goods, even when those movements are ultimately deemed lawful. The precise nature of the "routine" scanning and the criteria that trigger such detentions remain a point of observation.

Airport Operations and Past Incidents

RGIA, a key aviation hub, has seen a variety of events reported in recent times. These range from operational disruptions like IndiGo flight cancellations in December 2025, to security concerns such as a bomb threat email in February 2024, and even wildlife sightings, including a leopard near the airport in April 2024. In March 2026, a food safety concern was also raised regarding allegations of a stone found in airport canteen food. These diverse events paint a picture of a complex operational environment where security, logistics, and passenger experience are in constant negotiation.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why were passengers stopped at RGIA airport this morning with 30 Rolex watches?
Passengers were stopped at RGIA airport this morning with 30 Rolex watches worth ₹18 crore for routine document checks. Officials needed to verify the paperwork for the high-value items.
Q: Were the passengers carrying the ₹18 crore Rolex watches allowed to leave RGIA?
Yes, the passengers carrying the 30 Rolex watches worth ₹18 crore were later cleared and allowed to proceed. Their documentation was verified and found to be in order with regulations.
Q: What is the reason for increased scrutiny on luxury watches at RGIA?
Customs officials at RGIA conduct standard checks on high-value items like luxury watches to ensure compliance with declaration and taxation rules. This helps prevent smuggling and ensures proper revenue collection.
Q: Have there been other seizures of high-value items at RGIA recently?
Yes, RGIA has seen other seizures, including ₹3 crore worth of drones and iPhones on November 12, 2025, and gold paste worth over ₹80 lakh in the past. These highlight ongoing efforts to monitor valuable goods.