Rs 13.56 crore smuggled gold seized at Mumbai international airport; 11 passengers arrested

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The Customs department has seized 22.14 kg of gold valued at Rs 13.56 crore brought illegally by various passengers at the Mumbai international airport, officials said on Monday, reported news agency PTI.

Eleven passengers were arrested in 20 cases of gold smuggling during the action taken at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai between Friday and Sunday, they said, reported PTI.

The precious metal was found concealed by passengers in the rectum, undergarments, on their body and a cardboard sheet, an official said.

In one case, gold jewellery was concealed under the burkha worn by a passenger at Mumbai international airport and in another case, the precious metal bars were concealed in the undergarment, an official said, reported PTI.

Gold was also smuggled in the form a bangle and a buckle worn as belt by passengers, while gold dust in wax form was concealed by a passenger in the rectum, he said, reported PTI.

In another incident, last week, the Mumbai Airport Customs Department has seized 11.62 kg of gold and iPhones valued at Rs 7.44 crore and Rs 12 lakh in cash in separate cases at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport or CSMIA, an official said, reported news agency PTI.

The action was taken in 18 cases of contraband seizure. The official also informed PTI that seven people were arrested and taken into police custody. Further investigation was underway, the official added.

Meanwhile, Officers from the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) at Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMI) intercepted a Brazilian national on May 8, 2024, based on specific intelligence regarding drug smuggling. The suspect aroused suspicion and upon questioning, confessed to ingesting capsules containing drugs, intending to smuggle them into India.

"On questioning the passenger admitted to having ingested capsules containing drugs and carrying the same in his body for smuggling into India. The passenger was produced before the Magistrate and as per the court order, he was admitted to Sir JJ Hospital, Mumbai," an official said.

After being taken into custody, the person was brought before a magistrate, who granted them admission to Mumbai's Sir JJ Hospital. The Brazilian national purged 110 capsules totalling 975 grams of cocaine during their hospital stay; these capsules are estimated to be worth Rs. 9.75 crores on the black market.

(With inputs from PTI)