DRI Seizes 10 kg Smuggled Gold Worth ₹6.2 crs (approx) at Mumbai Airport, 2 held

· 8 gold bars of 24 karat having foreign markings weighing 8 kg were found concealed inside their clothes around their waist.

· ladies ‘clutches were found to be having ingenious concealment of 24 karat gold in the form of silver colour metal wires under the metallic strips of the ladies clutches.

· well educated individuals who are directly involved in the planning and execution of the gold smuggling.

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) Mumbai seized more than 10 kg of gold in 2 separate cases on 3rd and 4th June 2023.

In the first case based on specific intelligence, 2 passengers arrived from Sharjah to Mumbai by Air India Express Flight No. IX 252, and were intercepted. During the examination of the said passengers, 8 gold bars of 24 karat having foreign markings weighing 8 kg were found concealed inside their clothes around their waist. Acting swiftly on further intelligence, one more associate of the passengers was apprehended. The gold in bar form weighing 8 kg recovered during examination valued at ₹4.94 crore was seized. Three persons have been arrested in the first case.

In the second case, one Indian national coming from Dubai was also intercepted at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International (CSMI) Airport, Mumbai on 3rd June 2023. The examination of the baggage of the said passengers was conducted and during the course of the baggage search 56 ladies clutches (purses) were recovered. All the ladies ‘clutches were found to be having ingenious concealment of 24 karat gold in the form of silver colour metal wires under the metallic strips of the ladies clutches.

The recovered gold wires were found to be having a net weight of 2005 grams and a provisional value of Rs.1,23,80,875/-. The said passenger was arrested in this case. The second seizure apparently involves well educated individuals who are directly involved in the planning and execution of the gold smuggling.

A total of 10 kg gold valued at approx 6.2 crore has been seized and total of 4 passengers have been arrested in the said cases. Further investigations are underway.