Mangupura, Bali. Indonesian customs officers have detained a 32-year-old Chinese national identified by the initials ZG for allegedly attempting to smuggle 10.4 kilograms of gold bars out of the country through Bali's I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport, an official said on Wednesday.

Wawan Dharmawan, head of the airport's Customs and Excise Office, said ZG was detained as he was preparing to board a flight to Hong Kong.

“The individual has been detained, and further proceedings will be carried out in accordance with applicable regulations, including with regard to the evidence we have secured,” Wawan said.

Officers seized 14 gold bars weighing a combined 10.4 kilograms and valued at approximately Rp 26 billion ($1.5 million).

The operation began after customs officials received intelligence concerning ZG, who was scheduled to fly from I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport to Hong Kong aboard a Cathay Pacific flight on Sept. 6.

Customs officials subsequently coordinated with aviation security, immigration authorities, and officers at the boarding gate.

During the boarding process, officers became suspicious of ZG's behavior and conducted a search, according to customs officials.

They discovered several brown packages believed to contain precious metal strapped to his body.

The seized material was subsequently examined by the Customs and Excise Laboratory in Surabaya, which determined that it was precious metal with a purity exceeding 99%.

Wawan said authorities believe the gold originated in Indonesia, based on ZG's preliminary statement to investigators.

ZG told authorities that he was in Bali for a holiday, although customs officials said he had entered using a business visa.

“The goods carried by the individual most likely originated domestically, based on his own statement,” Wawan said.

“He was in Bali as a businessman and was conducting a business visit, but he did not acknowledge that. He claimed that he was merely traveling for leisure.”

Customs officials and police are continuing to investigate the case, including the source of the gold.

According to ZG's preliminary account, he purchased the gold from a woman whose identity remains unknown.

If convicted, ZG could face up to 10 years in prison and a maximum fine of Rp 5 billion.

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