DRI seizes Rs 14.81 cr gold powder at Mumbai airport

Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Sep 25: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Mumbai Zonal Unit, has seized 9.40 kg of foreign-origin gold worth around Rs 14.81 crore and arrested three Indian passengers at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, officials said.

The interception was carried out in the early hours of September 23 based on specific intelligence, with operational assistance from the Air Intelligence Unit of Mumbai Airport Customs.

The three passengers had arrived from Dubai and were found carrying gold concealed in a sophisticated manner.

A detailed examination of their baggage revealed that the foreign-origin gold had been converted into fine powder and mixed with packaged food products having a similar colour, texture and consistency. The method was allegedly intended to evade routine detection.

The gold powder was concealed in several ordinary-looking food packets containing milk powder, oats, various flours, Nutella and coconut milk powder. In all, around 33.50 kg of food products mixed with gold powder were recovered from the baggage of the three passengers.

Following careful segregation and assaying, DRI officers recovered 9.40 kg of pure foreign-origin gold, valued at approximately Rs 14.81 crore.

The gold was seized under the relevant provisions of the Customs Act, 1962.

During questioning, all three passengers admitted that they were acting on behalf of the same organised gold-smuggling syndicate. They were subsequently arrested under the Customs Act.

Officials described the modus operandi as novel and highly sophisticated, with the smugglers allegedly blending powdered gold with everyday food products that closely matched its appearance and texture in an attempt to bypass security and customs checks.

The DRI said the operation highlights the evolving methods adopted by international gold-smuggling networks and its continued efforts to dismantle such syndicates.

The seizure is part of the agency’s sustained crackdown on gold smuggling through Indian airports.

Further investigation is under way to identify other members of the syndicate and trace the larger network involved in the smuggling operation.