Unique Gold Smuggling Method Foiled at Mumbai Airport: Gold Mixed with Food Items Seized, 3 Arrested

The Mumbai Zonal Unit of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has seized 9.40 kilograms of foreign gold valued at approximately 14.81 crore rupees in a major operation against gold smuggling at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. Three Indian passengers have been arrested in connection with this case.

The operation was carried out on the morning of September 23, 2026, based on specific intelligence. In collaboration with the Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) of Mumbai Airport Customs, the DRI intercepted three passengers arriving from Dubai. A thorough inspection of their luggage revealed an extremely sophisticated and unusual method of smuggling.

Investigations revealed that the foreign gold had been converted into a fine powder and mixed into packaged food products of similar color and texture to evade detection. The gold powder was hidden in ordinary-looking food packets such as milk powder, oats, various types of flour, Nutella, and coconut milk powder. A total of 33.50 kilograms of such food products containing gold powder were recovered from the three passengers.

Following careful screening and separation, a total of 9.40 kilograms of foreign gold was seized under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962. During interrogation, the three accused admitted that they were working for an organized gold-smuggling syndicate. They were subsequently arrested under the relevant provisions of the Customs Act, 1962.