In two separate operations conducted on Sunday and Monday, officers of Mumbai Customs Zone-III at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) made significant seizures involving narcotics and smuggled gold.
In the first case, based on specific intelligence, customs officers intercepted a passenger arriving from Bangkok on flight VZ760. Upon examination of the passenger`s baggage, officers recovered 10.509 kg of suspected hydroponic weed (marijuana) concealed inside a trolley bag. The narcotic substance carries an estimated illicit market value of Rs 10.509 crore. The passenger was arrested under provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.
In the second case, customs officers, acting on profiling techniques, intercepted a passenger arriving from Muscat via flight 6E1270. A search led to the recovery of a 24KT crude gold kada and a 24KT crude gold chain, with a combined net weight of 200 grams and a market value of Rs 23.54 lakh. The gold items were found concealed on the passenger’s body and were seized under the Customs Act.
Two contractual staff held for smuggling Rs 1.6 crore foreign gold at Mumbai airport
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has arrested two contractual staffers of Air India Airport Service Limited (AIASL) for allegedly trying to smuggle foreign-origin gold valued at Rs 1.6 crore, officials said on Sunday, reported news agency PTI.
Investigations point to a smuggling syndicate that used international passengers to hide gold in the aircraft on arrival, which was later retrieved by the contractual staff with insider access, an official said, reported PTI.
The two accused, employees of Air India Airport Service Limited, were apprehended on Saturday, the official said.
The DRI had specific information that foreign-origin gold was being smuggled through the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai by concealing it within the aircraft and retrieving it through insider airport staff, reported PTI.
Accordingly, a discreet surveillance was mounted at the airport.
A team leader of the contractual staff was seen hurriedly placing a packet on the aerobridge staircase upon noticing the DRI sleuths, the official said.
The packet was later recovered and found to contain gold dust in wax form, concealed under a white cloth, he said.
The contractual staff member was immediately apprehended and, during interrogation, he admitted to hiding the packet to avoid detection, the official said.
