Customs officials at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport executed a significant operation, seizing gold and diamonds valued at Rs 2.55 crore in separate incidents during the night of January 17-18.
In the first operation, customs officers, acting on specific intelligence, intercepted two passengers arriving from Bangkok. Detailed examination revealed 24-carat crude gold dust hidden within the suspects’ body cavities. The total weight of the seized gold was 2.465 kg, with an estimated value of Rs 1.80 crore. Both individuals were apprehended under the provisions of the Customs Act, of 1962.
In a separate incident the same night, customs officials intercepted a passenger attempting to board a flight to Dubai. Upon inspection, authorities discovered a cache of diamonds concealed in the passenger’s body cavities. The haul comprised lab-grown loose diamonds weighing 21.70 carats, valued at Rs 5.20 lakh, and natural loose diamonds weighing 226.95 carats, valued at Rs 69.69 lakh. The combined value of the diamonds totaled Rs 74.90 lakh.
In total, the seized gold and diamonds are valued at Rs 2.55 crore. Three individuals have been arrested in connection with these cases as investigations continue to identify potential networks and accomplices involved in the smuggling operations.
This operation adds to the series of successful anti-smuggling actions by authorities at Mumbai airport. In December, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) dismantled a gold smuggling racket, arresting six individuals and confiscating 12.5 kg of smuggled gold worth nearly Rs 10 crore. Similarly, in November, customs officials seized 1.8 kg of gold dust in wax form valued at Rs 1.36 crore, leading to the arrest of an airport staff member and a transit passenger.
These consistent efforts underscore the vigilance and effectiveness of Mumbai’s customs and enforcement teams in combating smuggling activities.
