Officers of the Mumbai Customs Zone–III have detected multiple smuggling cases at the international airport during the period from February 17 to February 24, 2026, leading to the seizure of narcotic substances, gold, and restricted medicines.
According to an official press note, acting on spot checks and APIS (Advance Passenger Information System) profiling, Customs officials booked three cases involving hydroponic weed. A total of 23.593 kilograms of suspected narcotic substance (hydroponic weed), valued at approximately ₹23.593 crore in the illicit market, was recovered from three passengers who had arrived from Bangkok. All three passengers were arrested under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.
In another set of cases based on profiling, Customs officers registered three separate cases involving gold smuggling. A total of 591.9 grams of gold, valued at ₹85.35 lakh, was recovered from three passengers. Further investigation in these cases is underway.
Additionally, acting on specific intelligence, Customs officials booked one case involving the attempted illegal export of medicines. The medicines were recovered from a passenger who was trying to export them without a valid licence. The consignment was confiscated under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962.
Mumbai Customs stated that vigilance at the airport has been intensified to curb smuggling activities and ensure strict enforcement of customs and anti-narcotics laws.