Mumbai Customs Seizes Rs 9.12 Crore Worth of Smuggled Gold and Diamonds

Mumbai, 15th February 2025: The Customs Department reported on Thursday that it had apprehended at least 18 passengers at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport for allegedly attempting to smuggle gold and diamonds worth several crores into the country by concealing them.

Officials stated that the interceptions took place on Tuesday and Wednesday, resulting in the seizure of 5.92 kg of gold and diamonds valued at ₹9.12 crore.

During routine frisking and scanning on Tuesday, Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) officers detected suspicious objects inside a passenger’s laptop at Mumbai Airport before his departure to Bangkok. The individual was subsequently handed over to the Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) for further inspection. Upon examination, authorities discovered 2,147.20 carats of diamonds worth ₹4.93 crore concealed inside the device. The passenger was arrested under the Customs Act for attempting to smuggle valuables into the country, officials confirmed.

On Wednesday, three passengers arriving from Dubai were intercepted, leading to the recovery of 24-carat crude gold rhodium-plated rings and buttons. Weighing 775 grams and valued at ₹61.45 lakh, the gold was hidden inside belt buckles and trolley bags, officials revealed.

Additionally, 14 Kenyan nationals who had flown in from Nairobi were stopped based on profiling and specific intelligence inputs. Upon investigation, authorities recovered 22-carat melted gold bars and jewellery weighing 2,741 grams and worth ₹1.85 crores. The gold had been discreetly stashed inside their undergarments and clothing pockets.

Moreover, officials also discovered unclaimed 22-carat melted gold bars weighing 2,406 grams and valued at ₹1.74 crore abandoned on the floor of the international arrival hall.