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Mumbai: An official said that the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) seized 4 kgs of smuggled gold worth Rs 2.58 crore at the Mumbai Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport on Tuesday and arrested four persons, including two air passengers who had brought the yellow metal illegally into the country.
Both passengers landed at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) in the morning from Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The passengers were searched and 1 kg gold dust in wax form, which was specially stitched in the innerwear of both passengers, was seized from each of them.
A statement by the officials read,”Further during baggage search, officers examined the 3 mixer grinders carried by them as they appeared to be heavier than usual. On cutting the part open, it was found that gold pieces of approx 2 kgs were concealed therein. Thus total 4 kgs of smuggled gold worth Rs. 2.59 crore was recovered.”
Official said that a total of 4 kgs of smuggled gold worth Rs 2.58 crore was recovered from them. Subsequently, it was found out that two persons were coming to receive the gold from the passengers outside the airport.
Accordingly, the officers planned a trap and intercepted the intended receivers. The two air passengers and the receivers were arrested under relevant provisions of the Customs Act, 1962, he said.The operation is a manifestation of DRI’s resolve to dismantle the burgeoning syndicates involved in the smuggling of gold.
