MUMBAI: The Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) officers at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMI), Mumbai, seized gold with a gross weight of 3.976 kg valued at Rs 2.714 crore.
The seizure occurred during a covert operation targeting gold smuggling activities.
Acting on profiling-based intelligence, the AIU officers maintained discreet surveillance on a transit passenger who had arrived from Dubai and was scheduled to depart for Male.
During the operation, officers observed the passenger handing over an item to a private airport staff member. Both the transit passenger and the staff member were immediately intercepted for investigation.
A thorough personal search of the airport staff revealed the concealment of 24-karat gold dust, shaped into 12 wax-like pieces. The gold dust, with a net weight of 3.976kg, was concealed in transparent self-sealing pouches hidden inside the pockets of the staff member’s pants.
Upon questioning, the staff member admitted that the gold had been handed over by the transit passenger, who had been under surveillance.
Following the discovery, both the transit passenger and the airport staff member were arrested under provisions of the Customs Act, 1962.
The AIU officers have launched further investigations to uncover the broader smuggling network and its links to international syndicates.