Gold worth over Rs 4.5 crore seized at Mumbai Airport; customs officers also foil wildlife smuggling

The White-cheeked Gibbons were concealed in a trolley bag.

Mumbai Zone-3 Customs officers intercepted multiple passengers carrying concealed gold and also prevented an attempt to smuggle endangered wildlife during operations conducted at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMI) on Monday and Tuesday.

Gold seizures from Nairobi and Dubai flights

Acting on profiling techniques, customs officers intercepted several passengers arriving from Nairobi on flight KQ 202 and recovered 24-carat gold concealed in clothing.

Case 1: Passenger arrested with 0.930 kg in four melted bars valued at Rs 0.97 crore.

Case 2: Passenger detained with 142 grams in two melted bars valued at Rs 12.97 lakh.

Case 3: Passenger arrested with 0.742 kg in four melted bars valued at Rs 0.71 crore.

Case 4: Passenger arrested with 0.473 kg in four melted bars valued at Rs 0.45 crore.

Case 5: Passenger arrested with 0.501 kg in four melted bars valued at Rs 0.47 crore.

In a separate operation, two passengers arriving from Dubai on flight EK500 were intercepted with 1.110 kg of 24-carat gold dust in wax, concealed in undergarments. The gold was valued at Rs 1.15 crore, and both passengers were taken into custody under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962.

Wildlife smuggling attempt foiled

Based on specific intelligence, Mumbai Customs officers intercepted a passenger arriving from Bangkok via flight VZ-760 with two White-cheeked Gibbons (Nomascus Leocogenys), one male and one female. The animals were concealed in a trolley bag. The passenger was arrested under the Customs Act, 1962, read with the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

Further investigations are underway.