Mumbai: Airport Customs Seizes 1.72 Kg Smuggled Gold Worth ₹1.25 Crore; 2 Arrested In Major Operation

Mumbai: On the night of 15-16 Oct, 2024, the Mumbai Airport Customs officials have seized smuggled gold having net weight of 1.725 kilograms valued at Rs 1.25 crores across two cases. The said goods were found concealed inside the body cavity of passengers as well as recovered from Airport staff. Two individuals were arrested, officials said on Wednesday.

In a significant operation at Mumbai Airport, the Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) officers, acting on specific intelligence, discreetly trailed a transit passenger arriving from Dubai and departing to Bangkok. The passenger, along with an airport staff member, was seen entering a washroom, raising suspicions.

"Upon intercepting the staff member, AIU officers discovered gold dust in wax form (3 pieces) having net weight of 1.270 kilograms, provisionally valued at Rs. 92.13 lakh which were concealed in his underwear. This immediate and thorough action led to a critical breakthrough," said a Customs official.

He added, "Interrogation of the staff member revealed that the gold had been handed over to him by another passenger. Utilizing this information, AIU officers launched an exhaustive search and, through exceptional efforts, successfully located and apprehended the second passenger within the airport premises."

"Preliminary investigations indicated a connection between the airport staff member and the second passenger, suggesting a coordinated effort to smuggle the gold. They also confronted in their statement that they have done this more than 2 time before. Hence, Both individuals were subsequently arrested under the provisions of the Customs Act," the official said.

In another case a passenger arrived from Dubai to Mumbai was intercepted and the smuggled goods including gold dust in wax form having Net weight 455 grams, provisionally valued at Rs. 33 lakh and high value phones provisionally valued at Rs. 6.11 lakh were recovered. The said gold dust was concealed inside the body cavity of the passenger and High value phones were concealed inside the baggage of the passenger.

"The AIU’s swift and precise operation underscores the vigilance and dedication of Mumbai Airport’s security teams in combating illegal activities and ensuring the safety and security of passengers," said a senior Customs official.