DRI seizes gold worth Rs 5.47 crore at Mumbai airport, four arrested
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Mumbai, September 12: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Mumbai Zonal Unit, has busted an organised gold smuggling network operating through Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. The syndicate allegedly involved transit passengers and airline staff in the illegal movement of foreign-origin gold.
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Acting on specific intelligence, DRI officers intercepted an airline staff member after he left the airport. The officers followed him for nearly 50 km before stopping him. A search led to the recovery of three capsules containing gold dust in wax form.
During questioning, the airline staff member allegedly told investigators that a transit passenger had handed over the gold to him in the airport’s transit area. He also revealed the involvement of another female airline staff member in removing the gold from the airport.
👉 DRI intensifies crackdown on gold smuggling in pan-India operations; seizes around 41 kg foreign-origin gold worth Rs. 62 crore (approx.); 24 persons, including three foreign nationals, arrested
— Ministry of Finance (@FinMinIndia) September 10, 2026
👉 Operations expose sophisticated methods of concealment and organised smuggling… pic.twitter.com/7a6LwPv18O
The woman was subsequently intercepted near the airline counter. Further questioning revealed the involvement of two more Indian transit passengers who had arrived from Muscat and Dubai.
DRI officers kept the two passengers under surveillance and intercepted them while they were allegedly handing over gold to the airline staff member. The handler coordinating the operation was also arrested.
In the operation, DRI officials recovered eight capsules containing 3.47 kg of gold dust in wax form, valued at approximately Rs 5.47 crore.
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The gold was seized under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962. Four people, including two transit passengers and two airline staff members, have been arrested in connection with the case.