Over a span of five days, from May 17 to May 22, Mumbai customs successfully intercepted and seized over 11.40 kg of gold and electronics valued at Rs 7.46 crore in 24 cases. The gold items were found concealed in clothing, sanitary pads, trolleys, undergarments and even on the bodies of passengers. The incessant action by the Airport Commissionerate of Mumbai Customs Zone-III has resulted in the arrest of 21 persons. The officials believe that the high import duty and the surge in the domestic bullion market is the reason behind the rise in smuggling in a city like Mumbai.

Gold valuables concealed in a jeans pocket

According to the customs, in the first case two Indian nationals travelling from Dubai were apprehended with 2 kg of 24 karat gold dust concealed in wax, hidden inside a sanitary pad and clothing. Both individuals were arrested. In separate incidents, two foreign nationals arriving from Nairobi and Abu Dhabi were found carrying 1.2 kg of gold, hidden in their rectums and clothing.

Jewellery worn by passenger concealed with rhodium plating

Besides, an Indian national traveling from Sharjah was caught with a significant amount of electronics, including eight iPhone 15 Pros, two iPhone 15 Pro Maxes, seven refurbished iPhone 13 Pros, one refurbished iPhone 13 Pro, twelve refurbished HP laptops, and one refurbished Dell laptop. The total value of these items is Rs 23.30 lakh, and they were concealed in the passenger’s backpack.

In other cases, 17 other Indian nationals arriving from Dubai, Bangkok, Sharjah, Bahrain, Abu Dhabi, Jeddah, Addis Ababa, and Doha were found carrying 4.83 kg of gold, hidden in various personal items such as clothing, sanitary pads, trolleys, undergarments, and on their bodies. 

“In one instance, inspection of aircraft led to the discovery of two pouches containing 1. 97 kg of 24Kt gold dust, valued at R1.25 crore, hidden under a toilet seat, and 1.399 kg of 24 karat gold bars, valued at R89.44 lakh, found in the pocket of an aircraft seat,” the officials said. “These operations underscore the continued vigilance and stringent security measures undertaken by Mumbai Customs to curb smuggling activities at the airport,” an officer of the customs said.

Gold dust concealed inside the clothes in check-in baggage

Jewellers in Mumbai have observed an increase in gold smuggling over the past year. According to them, smuggling has been a common trend in the city, with gold primarily coming from Gulf countries. “The recent surge in smuggling is due to the rise in gold prices, which currently stand at Rs 73,000 per tola. The price difference between gold in Dubai and here is close to Rs 10,000. Additionally, the high import duty is driving the increase in smuggling,” said Kumar Jain, secretary of the Bombay Bullion Association.

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