DRI Busts Gold Smuggling Syndicate at Mumbai Airport, Six Arrested With Gold Worth ₹10.75 Cr

Officers of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Mumbai Zonal Unit, have busted a well-organized syndicate involved in smuggling foreign-origin gold through the international airport in Mumbai, arresting six persons including an airline ground staff member and five transit passengers.

The arrested individuals have been identified as Titwala resident Munaf Jamadar, 23, along with Bangladeshi nationals Mohammed Mohiuddin, 36, Mohammad Ismail Hossen, 37, Mohammed Rashedul Alam, 38, Mohammad Abu Nasar, 38, and Mohammed Nazimuddin, 30.

According to DRI sources, the agency acted on specific intelligence regarding Jamadar, who was working as a contractual ground staff member for an airline company. The intelligence indicated that Jamadar was involved in smuggling gold through the airport and was preparing to hand over contraband to a recipient waiting outside the premises.

DRI officers intercepted Jamadar at the airport. A personal search of his back pockets resulted in the recovery of seven egg-shaped capsules containing gold dust in wax form. Following his interception, Jamadar led investigators to the other members of the syndicate, who were transit passengers travelling between Dubai, Bangkok, and Male via Mumbai.

In total, the DRI seized 6,650 grams of gold valued at Rs 10.75 crore from the syndicate members. Officials stated that the estimated customs duty evasion in the case stands at Rs 3.76 crore.

A DRI official stated that in the ongoing investigation, more evidence is being gathered and key members of the syndicate are yet to be apprehended as efforts continue at the nascent investigation stage.

Following their arrest, the accused were produced before the court. Advocates Ashish Singh and Birendra Yadav argued on behalf of Mohammed Mohiuddin, Mohammed Rashedul Alam, and Mohammed Nazimuddin, after which the court remanded them to judicial custody.