During a routine check at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMI), customs officials uncovered 24-karat gold dust from a flight arriving from Sharjah. The gold dust, disguised in a wax-like form to avoid detection, was being smuggled into India.
The total weight of the seized gold dust was 4.050 kg, with an estimated value of around Rs28.9 million, calculated as per current gold prices. Smugglers often use creative methods to sneak in gold, making such inspections critical.
In another incident, customs officers apprehended a passenger arriving from Dubai. The individual attempted to smuggle three gold bars, each weighing 1 kg, by hiding them in the pockets of his trousers. These 24-karat gold bars were valued at Rs22.7 million. The passenger was detained, and the smuggled gold was confiscated.
These incidents highlight the ongoing efforts of customs officials to curb gold smuggling, which remains a significant challenge at major airports like Mumbai.
