Mumbai, July 25, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Mumbai Zonal Unit, has busted two organised gold-smuggling syndicates operating through Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA), recovering foreign-origin gold worth around Rs 23.63 crore and arresting eight people under the Customs Act, 1962.
The seizures involved 15.764 kg of 24-carat foreign-origin gold recovered during two intelligence-based operations conducted between July 22 and 24.
During “Operation Sky Vault”, carried out on July 23 and 24, DRI officers intercepted three foreign passengers arriving in Mumbai from Addis Ababa. A detailed search of the aircraft led to the recovery of 12.004 kg of gold bars valued at approximately Rs 18 crore.
The investigation revealed that the passengers had allegedly concealed the gold inside the aircraft with the intention of retrieving it later.
In a separate operation, “Operation Midas Mop”, conducted on July 22 and 23, DRI officials intercepted two aircraft cleaning staff members, one passenger and two other alleged members of a smuggling network.
The operation resulted in the recovery of 3.76 kg of 24-carat gold dust in wax form, valued at around Rs 5.63 crore. According to preliminary findings, the passenger had hidden the gold in an aircraft arriving from Dubai, which was allegedly to be retrieved by cleaning staff and taken out of the airport for delivery to handlers.
The DRI said further investigation is underway to identify other members of the syndicates and trace the wider network involved in the smuggling operations.
The latest action comes days after the agency busted another international gold-smuggling network on July 17 and arrested six people, including three Philippine nationals. The accused were allegedly involved in trafficking gold through transit passengers arriving from Dubai and Bangkok with the help of individuals working at CSMIA.
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