DRI seizes gold worth Rs 6 crore at Mumbai airport; woman passenger arrested

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence DRI has seized gold worth nearly Rs 6 crore from a woman passenger at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai officials saidThe action was taken on Friday after DRI officials received specific inputs regarding a suspected gold smuggling attempt Based on the information officers intercepted the passenger after she arrived on a flight from DubaiOfficials said the passenger was taken for further examination after authorities noticed suspicious circumstances during the screening processFour foreignmarked gold bars recoveredDuring the detailed inspection of the passenger and her belongings DRI officials recovered four foreignmarked gold bars weighing a total of 4 kgAccording to officials the gold bars were allegedly concealed inside the passengerrsquos trousers in an attempt to avoid detection during customs checksThe seized gold has been valued at approximately Rs 6 crore in the domestic market Authorities said the consignment was confiscated under the provisions of customs regulationsWoman arrested under Customs ActFollowing the recovery the passenger was arrested under the Customs Act Officials said legal procedures were initiated after the seizure and the accused was taken into custody for further questioningInvestigators are now examining how the gold was procured and whether the passenger was working alone or as part of a larger smuggling networkOfficials are also verifying travel details communication records and possible links to individuals involved in arranging the transportation and delivery of the seized goldAgencies investigate possible smuggling networkThe Directorate of Revenue Intelligence has intensified its probe to identify the source of the gold and trace others who may be connected to the caseOfficials said gold smuggling networks often use different methods to transport precious metals illegally through airports and investigations are carried out to uncover the entire chain including suppliers carriers and receiversMumbai airport one of the busiest international airports in the country has witnessed several cases of attempted gold smuggling in recent years with enforcement agencies increasing surveillance and intelligencebased operationsFurther probe underwayAuthorities said the investigation is continuing to establish the complete route of the seized consignment and determine whether more individuals were involvedThe DRI is expected to question people connected with the case and analyse evidence collected during the operation as part of its ongoing investigationWith inputs from PTI