The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has seized 16 wax-coated capsules containing high-purity gold dust at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, official sources said.
The capsules together weighed 5.68 kg and are valued at Rs 7.40 crore, according to sources.
Acting on specific intelligence, officers intercepted two men from Tamil Nadu — Mohamed Abuthahir and Kalandar Azzarudeen. Each was allegedly carrying eight capsules hidden inside their undergarments. A government-approved valuer later confirmed the contents to be 24-karat gold dust, said officials.
According to case documents, both men gave voluntary statements under Section 108 of the Customs Act, where they allegedly admitted to being part of a gold-smuggling syndicate and bringing the gold into India without declaring it.
However, their lawyers strongly contests the allegations.
Defence advocate Arun Gupta said, “The prosecution’s claim is speculative. The recovery shown cannot be attributed to my clients, yet they have been unfairly drawn into the case.”
Investigators maintained that the seized gold is liable for confiscation under the Customs Act due to alleged violations of import and declaration rules.
Sources said the DRI is now trying to trace other suspected members of the syndicate.
