By Mewati Sitaram
In a major crackdown on gold smuggling, Mumbai Customs Zone-III at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport seized more than 18.11 kilograms of gold valued at approximately Rs. 11.23 crore during a six-day operation from June 25-30, 2024. The seizures were made across 24 separate cases, revealing the ingenuity and desperation of smugglers attempting to evade customs controls.
Customs officials uncovered gold concealed in various creative and sometimes alarming ways. Smugglers attempted to bring in gold in forms ranging from gold dust mixed with wax to crude jewelry. In one particularly audacious attempt, gold bars were hidden inside a box of halwa, a popular sweet. Other hiding spots included undergarments, and even within or on the bodies of passengers.
The operation resulted in the arrest of nine individuals, including two foreign nationals. One suspect from Singapore and another from Dar es Salaam were caught with 2,083 grams of 24-karat gold dust in wax pouches and crude gold bangles. The gold was found hidden in the waistband of jeans and on the suspects’ bodies. A handler associated with these smugglers was also arrested.
Six Indian nationals arriving from Abu Dhabi, Dubai, and Bangkok were intercepted carrying a total of 6,420 grams of 24-karat gold dust mixed with wax, concealed within their bodies. All six individuals were placed under arrest.
In another set of cases, fourteen Indian nationals arriving from various Middle Eastern cities and one domestic flight from Bhopal were found with 6,617 grams of gold. The precious metal was ingeniously hidden in items such as halwa boxes, undergarments, luggage, shoes, and even inside the passengers’ bodies.
The customs operation also uncovered gold abandoned in public areas of the airport. Officials recovered 2,730 grams of 24-karat gold dust in wax, valued at over Rs. 1.71 crore, from a toilet near the transit area. Additionally, 260 grams of gold dust in wax, worth more than Rs. 16 lakh, was discovered hidden under seat 13A of an Air India flight.
This series of seizures highlights the ongoing challenge faced by customs authorities in combating gold smuggling. The variety of concealment methods and the involvement of both foreign and domestic travelers underscore the complexity of the issue. As gold prices remain high and demand continues in India, smugglers are likely to keep devising new methods to circumvent customs checks.
The success of this operation demonstrates the vigilance and effectiveness of Mumbai Customs Zone-III in detecting and preventing gold smuggling attempts. However, it also raises questions about the scale of the problem and how many similar attempts might go undetected.
As authorities continue their efforts to curb gold smuggling, this incident serves as a reminder of the need for constant vigilance and evolving detection methods at international borders and airports. The economic implications of such large-scale smuggling attempts also highlight the importance of addressing the root causes that drive individuals to engage in these illegal activities
*Press Release*
*CSM International Airport, Mumbai Customs Zone-III*
During 25–30 June, 2024, Airport Commissionerate, Mumbai Customs Zone-III seized over 18.11 Kg Gold valued at Rs. 11.23 Cr across 24 cases. Gold was found concealed in various forms like gold dust in wax, crude Jewellery, Gold bars in an ingenious way in Halwa Box (Sweets), in undergarments, in the body, and on the body of pax. Nine Pax were arrested.
• Two Foreign national, travelling from Singapore (01), Dar es Salaam (01) were intercepted and 24 KT Gold Dust in Wax (02 pouch) and 24 KT Crude Gold Bangles (10) having total Net Weight 2083.000 grams was found concealed inside waist band of jeans pant worn by the passenger and on the body of pax. Two pax and one handler were arrested.
• Six Indian Nationals, travelling from Abu Dhabi (04), Dubai (01), and Bangkok (01) were intercepted and found carrying 24 KT Gold Dust in Wax having total net weight of 6420.000 grams was found concealed in the body. Six Pax were arrested.
• Fourteen Indian Nationals, travelling from Dubai (08), Abu Dhabi (03), Sharjah (01), Bahrain (01), and Bhopal (01) were intercepted and found carrying 6617.00 grams gold concealed inside Halwa Box (Sweets), in undergarments, in baggage, inside the shoes and in the body of pax.
• 24 KT Gold Dust in Wax (03 pcs, 01 pouch) having net weight 2730.000 grams provisionally valued at Rs. 1,71,22,342/- was recovered from toilet situated near transit area.
• 24 KT Gold Dust in Wax (01 pc) having Net Weight 260.000 grams provisionally valued at Rs. 16,30,700/- was found concealed under Seat no. 13A of Air India Flight No. AI-669.
Editor in Chief : Mewati SItaram
