DRI busts massive smuggling racket at Mumbai airport; Rs 37 crore worth gold seized, 24 women held

The women were trained to hide the gold and escape checks, and it shows a well-planned syndicate using such carriers to beat airport security, the official pointed out.

Mumbai: In a major crackdown on organised gold smuggling, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) busted a syndicate, seizing 29.37 kg of gold valued at Rs 37.74 crore and arresting 24 carriers.

Acting on specific intelligence, DRI officers identified a group of female carriers arriving from Nairobi attempting to smuggle large quantities of gold through Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International (CSMI) Airport in Mumbai on Friday.

Under Operation Dhahabu Blitz, 24 foreign nationals were intercepted. Swift and coordinated enforcement action led to the recovery of 25.10 kg of gold bars and 4.27 kg of gold jewellery from these passengers.

“The case reveals a highly organised syndicate using trained carriers and coordinated methods to evade detection. The DRI remains committed to dismantling such gold smuggling networks that undermine the country’s economic and fiscal systems and threaten national interests,” officials said.