With inputs from ANI
Mumbai Customs have arrested two people in connection with smuggling case. According to Customs officials, both tried to smuggle gold worth Rs. 1.25 crore. Mumbai Customs wrote on X, “On the night of 15-16 Oct, 2024, AIU, CSMI Airport, Mumbai, seized Gold of 1.725 KGs, provisionally valued at Rs. 1.25 Crores across 02 cases of inner garment and body concealment. A private staff and a transit passenger involved in smuggling were arrested.”
In the first case, the passenger had arrived from Dubai and was intercepted by the Customs after his activity raised suspicion. The pieces of gold were concealed in the body cavity and undergarments of the passenger.
On the night of 15-16 Oct, 2024, AIU, CSMI Airport ,Mumbai, seized Gold of 1.725 KGs, provisionally valued at Rs. 1.25 Crores across 02 cases of inner garment and body concealment. A private staff and a transit passenger involved in smuggling were arrested. pic.twitter.com/t8owxEbOCS
— Mumbai Customs-III (@mumbaicus3) October 16, 2024
As per reports, the Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) officers of customs acted on a specific intelligence and discretely trailed a passenger who arrived from Delhi, he was supposed to depart to Bangkok. He was seen heading towards washroom along with an airport staff member which raised suspicion. After intercepting the man, AIU officers seized three pieces of gold dust in a wax form. However, after interrogation, the man revealed that he was handed over these things by another passenger. The second passenger was also apprehended by the Mumbai Customs within airport premises. Mumbai Customs said that both the individuals have been arrested under Customs Act, 1962 provisions.
The officials revealed that the preliminary investigations indicated connection between the second passenger and the airport staff member. They both coordinated to smuggle gold. In their statement, the arrested passengers mentioned that they have done this more than two times before.
Mumbai Customs statement read as, “In a significant operation at Mumbai Airport, the Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) officers, acting on specific intelligence, discreetly trailed a transit passenger arriving from Dubai and departing to Bangkok. The passenger, along with an airport staff member, was seen entering a washroom, raising suspicions.”
They added, “Upon intercepting the staff member, AIU officers discovered 24 KT gold dust in wax form (3 pieces) having a net weight of 1.270 KGs, provisionally valued at Rs. 92,13,437. Interrogation of the staff member revealed that the gold had been handed over to him by another passenger. AIU officers apprehended the second passenger within the airport premises. Both individuals were subsequently arrested under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962.”
Mumbai, Maharashtra: In a significant operation at Mumbai Airport, the Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) officers, acting on specific intelligence, discreetly trailed a transit passenger arriving from Dubai and departing to Bangkok. The passenger, along with an airport staff member,… pic.twitter.com/HGXrUyFaK0
— ANI (@ANI) October 16, 2024
In the second case, Mumbai Customs apprehended a passenger trying to smuggle various goods, including gold worth Rs 33 lakhs and phones valued at Rs 6 lakhs.
Customs said, “A passenger arrived from Dubai to Mumbai was intercepted and the smuggled goods i.e. 24 KT Gold dust is wax form (03 pcs) having Net weight 455 grams, provisionally valued at Rs. 33,00,880/- and Electronics goods i.e. High value phones provisionally valued at Rs. 6,11,790/- were recovered. The said gold dust was concealed inside the body cavity of the passenger and High value phones were concealed inside the baggage of the passenger.”
Mumbai, Maharashtra: Mumbai Customs intercepted a passenger who arrived from Dubai and the smuggled goods i.e. 24 KT Gold dust in wax form having a net weight of 455 grams, provisionally valued at Rs. 33 lakhs and mobile phones provisionally valued at Rs. 6 lakhs were recovered.… pic.twitter.com/Wjxij7GKVT
— ANI (@ANI) October 16, 2024