DRI Seizes ₹10.75 Crore Smuggled Gold at Mumbai Airport, Six Arrested
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) arrested six individuals, including five Bangladeshi transit passengers and a private airline ground staffer, after seizing 6.85 kilograms of foreign-origin gold valued at approximately ₹10.75 crore at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport on Saturday, officials said.
The operation, internally code-named ‘Operation Midnight Goldstrike’, was executed by the DRI’s Mumbai zonal unit following specific intelligence about a smuggling syndicate that was using transit passengers to move illicit gold through Mumbai.
Acting on the specific information, DRI officers intercepted a private ground staff member who was deployed by a third party for an airline while he was leaving the airport premises. A search of the staffer allegedly led to the recovery of seven capsules containing 24-carat gold dust concealed in wax form.
During questioning by investigators, the ground staffer allegedly revealed the involvement of transit passengers in smuggling the gold and facilitating its removal from the airport. Based on this information, DRI officers identified and intercepted the other alleged members of the network, recovering an additional nine capsules.
In total, authorities recovered 16 capsules containing 6.85 kilograms of 24-carat gold dust concealed in wax form. The entire consignment was seized under the provisions of the Customs Act, officials confirmed on Sunday.
According to the DRI, the syndicate operated by utilising transit passengers travelling on international routes connecting Dubai in the United Arab Emirates, Bangkok in Thailand, and Male in the Maldives via Mumbai.
All six accused—the five Bangladeshi nationals travelling as transit passengers and the private airline ground staffer—were placed under arrest. DRI officials stated that an investigation is currently underway to determine the source of the smuggled gold and trace the intended recipients of the contraband.
