Acting on specific intelligence, Mumbai Customs officers intercepted an Indian national arriving from Bangkok. Upon examination of the passenger's baggage and a personal search, 9.662 kilograms of hydroponic weed (marijuana), worth Rs 9.662 crore in the illicit market, was recovered
A total of 37 green iguanas, including both live and dead specimens, were discovered concealed in the baggage of a passenger arriving from Bangkok at Mumbai airport. PIC/Mumbai Customs
In a series of operations conducted on Saturday, officers from the Airport Commissionerate of Mumbai Customs Zone-III made major seizures involving narcotics, wildlife and gold at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International (CSMI) Airport. The total value of the seized items is estimated at over Rs 11 crore. Four people have been arrested separately in the three cases.
Narcotics seizure
Acting on specific intelligence, Mumbai Customs officers intercepted an Indian national arriving from Bangkok. Upon examination of the passenger's baggage and a personal search, 9.662 kilograms of hydroponic weed (marijuana), worth Rs 9.662 crore in the illicit market, was recovered. The narcotics had been carefully concealed within checked-in luggage. The contraband was seized under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, and the passenger was placed under arrest.
Exotic animals
In a separate incident, customs officers intercepted another passenger arriving from Bangkok. On inspection of the baggage, the officers recovered both live and dead exotic wildlife species. The seizure included one live and three dead raccoons (Procyon lotor), three dead black fox squirrels (Sciurus niger), and a total of 37 green iguanas (Iguana spp), of which 29 were alive and the remaining dead. As these species are not native to India, the 29 animals were handed over to airline staff for deportation to their country of origin to ensure their survival.
Proceedings against the passenger have been initiated under the Customs Act, 1962, as well as the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. The passenger has been arrested
Gold smuggling
In two related cases, customs officers profiled and intercepted two passengers arriving from Dubai. A detailed examination led to the recovery of 1.650 kilograms of 24 karat gold in the form of gold dust embedded in wax and gold pieces, concealed within the passengers’ body cavities and clothing. The estimated value of the gold is Rs 1.49 crore.
Both the passengers were arrested under the Customs Act, 1962.
All cases are under further investigation by the authorities concerned.
In a press release issued on Sunday, Mumbai Customs said, “Zone-III continues to maintain strict vigilance and remains committed to preventing the smuggling of contraband goods, wildlife, and precious metals through Mumbai’s international airport.”
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