In a major crackdown, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has busted an alleged international gold smuggling syndicate at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, seizing nearly 29.37 kg of gold worth over ₹37.73 crore.
According to officials, the operation was carried out in the early hours of April 8 after specific intelligence inputs indicated that a group of 25 international passengers arriving from Nairobi on a Kenya Airways flight were attempting to smuggle gold into India.
DRI officials maintained surveillance on the passengers after their arrival and intercepted them near the customs area. The situation reportedly turned chaotic as the passengers allegedly refused to cooperate, prompting the intervention of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF).
During the search, gold in the form of melted bars and assorted jewellery was recovered from three passengers, concealed in shoes and on their bodies. Subsequently, as officials began checking the remaining passengers, several packets wrapped in black tape were allegedly thrown near the baggage belts in an apparent attempt to hide them.
On examination, the packets were found to contain gold pieces and jewellery. The total seizure from 25 passengers was reported to be 29,373 grams of gold valued at ₹37.73 crore. One additional passenger was detained separately by immigration authorities for allegedly attempting to travel using a fake passport.
Officials said none of the passengers produced valid documents for the gold or declared it before customs authorities. The gold was seized under provisions of the Customs Act, 1962.
The DRI further stated that the smuggling attempt resulted in an estimated duty evasion of over ₹13.20 crore. Given the value involved, the offence falls under cognizable and non-bailable provisions of the law.
Preliminary investigation suggests the involvement of an international syndicate, with possible links to hawala transactions and cross-border networks. Authorities said efforts are underway to identify and apprehend other members of the racket.
The accused have been booked under relevant sections of the Customs Act, and further investigation is in progress.
Meanwhile, defence advocate Prabhakar Tripathi alleged procedural lapses in the case. “The accused have been subjected to serious procedural violations. Mandatory legal safeguards were not followed, and there are clear inconsistencies in the alleged recovery. We have full faith that the truth will emerge before the competent court,” he said.
The DRI has sought judicial custody of the accused to continue its probe into what is being described as a large-scale international gold smuggling operation.