Mumbai Airport News: ₹7.49 Crore Gold Smuggling Racket Busted by DRI, Six Held
Mumbai Airport News
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has uncovered an international gold smuggling syndicate operating through Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) in Mumbai. During the operation, officials arrested six people, including three airport outlet employees and three Philippine nationals, after seizing more than 5 kilograms of smuggled gold valued at approximately ₹7.49 crore.
According to the DRI, the gold had allegedly been smuggled from Bangkok as part of an organised international smuggling network. Officials said the successful operation was carried out based on specific intelligence received about the activities of the syndicate.
The investigation revealed that three employees working at different commercial outlets inside the airport were allegedly involved in receiving and transferring the smuggled gold. Authorities believe the group was working under the instructions of the handler of a larger international gold smuggling syndicate.
Based on intelligence inputs, DRI officers closely monitored the movements of one airport employee, Himanshu Upadhyay. Officials had received information that he would collect smuggled gold from another staff member and secretly hand it over to a second employee inside the airport.
At around 10:30 p.m. on Wednesday, DRI officers intercepted Himanshu Upadhyay while he was allegedly handing over two black pouches to another airport employee, Mohid Hasan Siddiqui, at the airport’s P4 level. During the operation, officials recovered the smuggled gold from the pouches and immediately detained those involved.
Further investigation led to the arrest of six individuals connected to the case. The arrested persons include three airport staff members and three Philippine nationals who were reportedly linked to the alleged smuggling operation.
According to the DRI, the accused admitted during questioning that they had acted on the instructions of the handler of a gold smuggling syndicate. Investigators are now trying to identify other members of the network and determine how long the operation had been active.
Meanwhile, the legal representatives of the three Philippine nationals argued before the court that their clients were international transit passengers travelling from the Philippines to Thailand. According to their lawyers, the passengers had no intention of entering India and had not crossed Indian immigration or approached Customs for clearance.
The defence argued that the allegation of smuggling into India raises important legal questions because the passengers remained within the international transit area of the airport. However, after hearing the matter, the court remanded the three foreign nationals to judicial custody while the investigation continues.
Gold smuggling remains a major challenge for Indian enforcement agencies due to the high demand for gold and the price difference between international and domestic markets. Criminal networks often attempt to avoid customs duties by using passengers, airport staff, or hidden compartments to transport gold illegally.
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence regularly conducts intelligence-based operations at airports across the country to prevent such activities. Advanced surveillance, passenger profiling, and coordination with airport authorities help officials detect organised smuggling attempts.
The seizure of more than 5 kilograms of gold worth ₹7.49 crore is considered a significant success in the fight against illegal gold smuggling. Investigators are now examining communication records, financial transactions, and travel histories to identify other individuals who may be connected to the syndicate.
Officials have stated that the investigation is still underway and more arrests could be made if additional evidence emerges. The DRI is also working to trace the source of the gold, identify the syndicate’s international connections, and determine the final destination of the smuggled consignment.
The case highlights the importance of strong airport security and intelligence gathering in preventing organised smuggling operations. Authorities have reaffirmed their commitment to taking strict action against those involved in illegal gold trafficking while ensuring that India’s customs laws are effectively enforced.
Ajeet Yadav is an aviation enthusiast covering airline news, airports, aircraft, and industry developments through well-researched and reliable reporting.
