By Mewati Sitaram
The Airport Commissionerate of Mumbai Customs Zone-III made a significant contraband seizure at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International (CSMI) Airport during the night duty of August 3–4, 2025. The crackdown resulted in the seizure of over five kilograms of suspected ganja (marijuana) and more than 1.5 kilograms of gold dust, with the total value of the confiscated items estimated at approximately ₹6.41 crore. Two persons were arrested in connection with the separate cases.
In the first case, reported on August 3, a transit passenger handed over 1,510 grams of 24 KT gold dust—concealed in four wax pieces and valued at ₹1.39 crore—to a member of the airport staff. Acting on a tip-off, the Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) intercepted the airport employee. The gold was recovered, and the staff member was arrested under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962.
In the second case, dated August 4, a passenger arriving from Bangkok to Mumbai was intercepted. On inspection, 5.027 kilograms of a greenish substance in lump form—purported to be hydroponic weed (marijuana)—was recovered. The contraband, estimated to be worth ₹5 crore, was found concealed in vacuum-sealed plastic packets inside the passenger’s trolley bag. The passenger was arrested under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.
Mumbai Customs continues to intensify surveillance at the international airport, underscoring its commitment to curbing smuggling and illicit trafficking.
Editor in Chief : Mewati SItaram
