Mumbai Customs Cracks Down on Gold Smuggling

Mumbai Customs has made significant seizures of 13.24 kg of gold, electronics worth Rs 10.33 crore, and foreign currency of Rs 45 lakh in five days at the international airport, leading to the arrest of seven passengers. The gold was cleverly concealed in various forms and locations.

Mumbai Customs has achieved a major success by seizing 13.24 kg of gold, electronics valued at Rs 10.33 crore, and foreign currency worth Rs 45 lakh in 24 cases over five days at the international airport, officials revealed on Wednesday. This operation led to the arrest of seven passengers.

These cases were uncovered by Customs Zone III between July 10 and July 14. The gold was found concealed in diverse forms, including gold dust in wax, crude jewelry, and gold bars hidden ingeniously in clothing, paper layers, and even inside the bodies of passengers. Seven individuals were arrested in connection with these seizures.

Among the arrested were five Indian nationals, two of whom were arriving from Dubai, two from Abu Dhabi, and one from Jeddah, carrying a total of 4,850 grams of gold. In a separate incident, two Indians from Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand were caught with 1,950 grams of gold dust in wax inside a handbag. Additionally, hidden gold and foreign currency were discovered during multiple inspections, including one where pouches of 24KT gold dust in wax weighing 3,199 grams were found in an aircraft washroom.

(With inputs from agencies.)