Gold Smuggling Racket Uncovered at Mumbai Airport; Gold Worth ₹9.95 Crore Seized, 6 Arrested

In a major breakthrough, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has uncovered a gold smuggling syndicate operating at Mumbai's international airport. The syndicate, involving airport staff working at the food court, was found to be smuggling gold by retrieving it from international transit passengers and delivering it outside the airport premises.

Acting on specific intelligence, DRI officers set up surveillance at the airport and successfully intercepted two consignments of smuggled gold. The deliveries were intercepted just as they were about to leave the airport. Six individuals were arrested, including three airport staff members and three receivers involved in the operation.

Upon examination, officials discovered 24 oval-shaped balls of gold dust, encased in wax and packed in eight pouches. The total net weight of the seized gold was 12.5 kg, with an estimated value of ₹9.95 crore. The gold was seized under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962.

In the past two days, DRI Mumbai has seized approximately 36 kg of smuggled gold, dealing a significant blow to illegal smuggling operations in the region.​