In a major crackdown on gold smuggling, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) intercepted two passengers arriving from Dubai at Mumbai Airport and recovered over 21 kg of smuggled gold from their possession.
Acting on specific intelligence, DRI officials from the Mumbai Zonal Unit (MZU) stopped the two individuals and conducted a thorough personal search. This led to the discovery of 21 foreign-marked gold bars and a cut piece of gold, cleverly concealed inside specially designed waist belts worn under their shirts.
During interrogation, both passengers voluntarily admitted to their involvement in gold smuggling. The seized gold, weighing 21.288 kg and valued at approximately ₹18.92 crore, has been confiscated under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962. The two individuals have been placed under arrest, and further investigations are underway to trace the larger smuggling network.
Authorities have intensified vigilance at airports to curb gold smuggling, which has been on the rise due to high import duties and increasing domestic demand.