By Mewati Sitaram
In two back-to-back operations, officers of Mumbai Customs Zone III at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport have successfully thwarted significant smuggling attempts involving narcotics and gold, highlighting growing concerns around organized smuggling syndicates.
In the first case, acting on specific intelligence inputs, customs officials intercepted two Indian nationals who arrived from Bangkok on June 21. Upon inspection of their checked-in baggage, officers recovered multiple vacuum-sealed packets containing a greenish substance, suspected to be hydroponic weed (marijuana). The total weight of the seized narcotics was 11.881 kilograms, valued at ₹11.88 crore in the illicit market. The contraband was cleverly concealed inside pillow covers stored in trolley bags. Both individuals were arrested under relevant provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985. Officials said that further investigation is underway to trace the larger international smuggling network involved in this operation.
In a separate incident the very next day, June 22, the Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) officers intercepted two individuals employed at the airport, based on heightened surveillance. Upon personal examination, the staffers were found carrying 24KT gold dust embedded in wax, which had been concealed inside socks placed in their pockets. The total weight of the seized gold was 4.44 kilograms, valued provisionally at ₹4.24 crore. Both employees were arrested under provisions of the Customs Act, 1962. Authorities have launched a detailed probe to ascertain the origin of the gold and identify any larger smuggling nexus.
A senior official from Mumbai Customs stated that the close succession of these two interceptions underscores the department’s vigilance and commitment to curbing smuggling at India’s busiest international gateways.
Editor in Chief : Mewati SItaram
