Customs seizes gold, electronics worth Rs.13.24 crore at Mumbai airport; arrests 7 passengers in five days

Authorities confiscate smuggled goods and uncover innovative concealment methods in a major crackdown

The Customs Department at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai has seized over 13.24 kg of smuggled gold and electronics valued at ₹10.33 crore, arresting seven individuals. All these incidents were within a short period from July 10 to 14.

The accused were involved in 24 cases of concealing smuggled gold in various forms. Different forms were used to conceal such as gold dust in wax, crude jewellery, and gold bars. The gold was hidden in clothes, between layers of paper, within their bodies and on their bodies.

During the operations, five Indian nationals from Dubai (2), Abu Dhabi (2), and Jeddah (1) were intercepted with 24 KT gold dust, crude gold chains, and bangles weighing a total of 4,850 grams. Additionally, two Indian nationals from Muzaffarnagar and Haridwar were intercepted by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and handed over to the Air Intelligence Unit (AIU), found carrying 1,950 grams of 24 KT gold dust in wax concealed inside a handbag.

Customs also discovered 3,010 grams of 24 KT gold dust in wax worth ₹1.89 crore hidden in an aircraft’s washroom during one flight’s inspection. Further, 16 Indian nationals from Abu Dhabi (12), Dubai (2), Bahrain (1), and Sharjah (1) were found with 3,431 grams of gold and electronics worth ₹2.16 crore, concealed in baggage between papers and on their bodies.

A source stated, “These passengers were booked but not arrested as the contraband recovered was not beyond the threshold for serious smuggling offences, and they were released after being served a notice.”

Additionally, the Customs department intercepted two foreign nationals travelling to Bangkok, seizing foreign currency worth ₹45 lakh. Concealed in special compartments of a laptop bag, they found €7,300, $2,500, £29,000, and NZ$12,000.