Rs 6.2 crore worth gold seized at Mumbai airport, 4 flyers arrested

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has seized more than 10 kg of gold valued at Rs 6.2 crore at the Mumbai airport in two cases of smuggling, according to a finance ministry statement released today.

In the first case, two passengers, who arrived at the Mumbai airport on board an Air India Express flight from Sharjah on June 3 were intercepted based on prior intelligence. During the examination of the passengers, 8 gold bars of 24 karat having foreign markings weighing 8 kg were found concealed inside their clothes around their waist. Acting swiftly on further intelligence, one more associate of the passengers was apprehended. Gold bars weighing 8 kg worth Rs 4.94 crore were recovered from them after a thorough search. Three persons have been arrested in the case.

In the second case, an Indian national coming from Dubai was also intercepted at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International (CSMI) Airport, Mumbai on 3rd June. The examination of the baggage of the passenger revealed as many as 56 ladies purses which had 24 karat gold in the form of silver colour metal wires hidden under the metallic strips.

The recovered gold wires were found to be having a net weight of 2005 grams and a provisional value of Rs.1.24 crore.  The passenger was arrested in this case. The second seizure apparently involves well educated individuals who are directly involved in the planning and execution of the gold smuggling.