30 kg Gold Seized at Mumbai Airport; 24 Women Arrested

10/04/2026

MUMBAI April 10: India’s Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has dismantled a major gold smuggling syndicate under a targeted operation, seizing nearly 30 kilograms of gold worth approximately ₹38 crore (1.4 million Kuwaiti Dinars) and arresting 24 women carriers.

The operation, codenamed “Dhahabu Blitz,” was carried out at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport after officials received specific intelligence about a group attempting to smuggle gold into the country from Nairobi.

According to officials, 24 foreign nationals were intercepted upon arrival, leading to the recovery of 25.10 kg of gold bars and an additional 4.27 kg of gold jewellery, bringing the total seizure to 29.37 kg valued at ₹37.74 crore. The suspects were immediately taken into custody.

Investigators said the case exposes a highly organised smuggling network that relied on trained female carriers and coordinated strategies to bypass airport security checks. The use of multiple carriers arriving simultaneously is believed to have been aimed at reducing the risk of detection.

Authorities are now working to trace the wider network behind the operation, including handlers and financiers, as part of efforts to dismantle the syndicate completely.

The DRI reiterated its commitment to cracking down on gold smuggling, warning that such activities pose a serious threat to India’s economic stability and fiscal systems.