DRI busts two gold-smuggling syndicates, seizes gold worth Rs 23.63 crore; eight arrested

Mumbai, July 25 (AHN) The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Mumbai Zonal Unit (MZU), has busted two organised gold-smuggling syndicates operating through Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA), Mumbai.

The operations resulted in the seizure of 15.764 kg (net weight) of 24-carat foreign-origin gold, valued at approximately Rs 23.63 crore, and the arrest of eight persons under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962.

In "Operation Sky Vault", conducted between July 23 and 24, 2026, DRI officers intercepted three foreign passengers who had arrived in Mumbai from Addis Ababa. An intensive search of the aircraft led to the recovery of 12.004 kg of foreign-origin gold bars, valued at around Rs 18 crore. The investigation revealed that the passengers had concealed the gold bars inside the aircraft for subsequent retrieval.

In another intelligence-led operation, "Operation Midas Mop", carried out between July 22 and 23, 2026, DRI officers intercepted two aircraft cleaning staff members, one passenger, and two other members of the smuggling syndicate. The operation resulted in the recovery of 3.76 kg of 24-carat foreign-origin gold dust in wax form, valued at approximately Rs 5.63 crore.

Preliminary investigations revealed that the passenger had concealed the gold inside an aircraft arriving in Mumbai from Dubai. The contraband was to be clandestinely retrieved by the cleaning staff and smuggled out of the airport for delivery to handlers outside the premises.

Further investigations are underway to identify other members of the smuggling syndicates and unravel the larger network involved in the operations.

The DRI said these operations reaffirm its unwavering commitment to intelligence-led enforcement against organised gold-smuggling networks, safeguarding the nation's economic security and protecting the integrity of its financial system.

Earlier, on July 17, the DRI had busted an international gold-smuggling syndicate and arrested six people, including three Filipino nationals. The syndicate was allegedly operating with the connivance of private individuals working within the airport premises.

The arrested accused were identified as Mumbai residents Himanshu Upadhyay, Mohid Hasan Siddiqui, and Feroz Sayyed, along with three Philippine nationals — Lakim Alimudin Nasser, Benny Lloyd Olivo, and Christine Joy Andaya Pornasdoro.

According to the DRI, during interrogation, the accused revealed that they were working for a smuggling syndicate that trafficked gold through transit passengers arriving from Dubai and Bangkok to Mumbai, with the assistance of certain individuals employed at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA).