By Mewati Sitaram
In a major crackdown on gold smuggling, Customs officers at CSMI Airport, Mumbai, seized a total of 2.073 kg of gold worth approximately Rs. 1.48 Crore on 18-19 December 2024. The seizures were made in two separate cases, leading to the arrest of two individuals involved in the illicit activity.
The first seizure occurred when CISF staff at CSMI Airport handed over a private airport employee, who was found in possession of three oval-shaped capsules hidden inside black socks. Upon investigation, Customs officers discovered the capsules contained 24 KT gold dust in wax, weighing a net of 1.363 kg, provisionally valued at Rs. 96 lakhs. The staff member admitted that the gold was given to him by a transit passenger with the intent to smuggle it out of Mumbai Airport. The individual was subsequently arrested under the Customs Act of 1962.
In the second case, Customs officers intercepted a passenger arriving from Jeddah to Mumbai, based on spot profiling. During the search, officers recovered 24 KT gold dust in wax, weighing a gross of 745 grams and a net of 710 grams, valued at approximately Rs. 52 lakhs. The gold was concealed inside the passenger’s body cavity. The passenger was arrested under the Customs Act of 1962.
These successful operations highlight the Customs Department’s vigilance and commitment to curbing illegal gold smuggling activities at one of the busiest airports in India. Both arrests and the significant seizure have contributed to a major blow against gold smuggling in the region.
Editor in Chief : Mewati SItaram
