Gold Worth ₹14.81 Crore Seized at Mumbai Airport
9.40 kg foreign-origin gold found in powdered form mixed with milk powder, oats, flour and other food products; three arrested
- 9.40 kg gold seized at Mumbai airport.
- Gold valued at approximately ₹14.81 crore.
- Powdered gold mixed with food products to conceal it.
- Three passengers arrested in the case.
GG News Bureau
Mumbai, 25th Sept: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Mumbai Zonal Unit, has seized 9.40 kg of foreign-origin gold valued at approximately ₹14.81 crore at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport and arrested three passengers in connection with an alleged gold-smuggling operation.
The seizure was made after DRI officers, acting on specific intelligence, intercepted three Indian passengers arriving from Dubai in the early hours of September 23, 2026. The operation was conducted with assistance from the Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) of Mumbai Airport Customs.
Gold powder concealed in food products
A detailed examination of the passengers’ baggage uncovered an unusual method of concealment. According to the DRI, foreign-origin gold had been converted into fine powder and mixed with packaged food products having similar colour, texture and consistency.
The gold-containing material was concealed in several apparently ordinary food packets, including milk powder, oats, various flours, Nutella and coconut milk powder.
In total, approximately 33.50 kg of food products mixed with gold powder was recovered from the baggage of the three passengers.
9.40 kg gold recovered after segregation
The authorities subsequently segregated the material and conducted assaying to establish the quantity of gold present.
The process resulted in the recovery of 9.40 kg of foreign-origin gold, valued at around ₹14.81 crore.
The gold was seized under the relevant provisions of the Customs Act, 1962, the DRI said.
Three passengers arrested
During questioning, all three passengers allegedly admitted to acting on behalf of the same organised gold-smuggling syndicate.
The three passengers were subsequently arrested under the relevant provisions of the Customs Act, 1962.
The DRI said the operation exposed a novel concealment technique, involving the blending of powdered gold with a range of packaged food products to evade routine detection.
The investigation is expected to examine the wider network allegedly involved in the smuggling operation.
