The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence on Saturday busted an alleged gold-smuggling syndicate operating through Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA). In a swift operation acting on specific intelligence, DRI Mumbai Zonal Unit conducted “Operation Golden Nexus” at the airport on Saturday and seized 3.2 kg of foreign-origin 24-carat gold dust in wax form, valued at about Rs 5 crore, an official said. A well-organized network that allegedly used transit passengers arriving from abroad and airport insiders to move smuggled gold out of the airport and into the local market was dismantled.
Under an operation codenamed “Golden Nexus “, 7 individuals were arrested including three staff members along with a seizure of 3.2 kg of foreign-origin gold valued at nearly Rs 5 crore. Among those arrested were also three transit passengers, a Bangladeshi national and two Sri Lankan nationals, who had allegedly smuggled the gold into India by concealing it inside their bodies. The arrested staff were identified as two coach drivers and a coach monitor. Those arrested have been identified as Rohit Singh, Santosh Pol, Ajit Acharekar, Samiullah Shah, Mohammed Kawsar, Mohamed Faleel Kasim, and Rifkhan Hameed Lebbe.
Preliminary investigation revealed, three foreign nationals who arrived from Bangkok, and Thailand were transiting through Mumbai’s airport when they allegedly smuggled gold into India concealing it in their bodies. Selected staffers helped them remove the contraband from the premises and deliver it to the local dealers outside the airport. The suspects have been placed under arrest while the investigators are now examining the wider network and financial links behind the syndicate.
“This successful operation assumes significance in the backdrop of increased duties and taxes on gold imposed by the Government to conserve foreign exchange and strengthen economic security,” a DRI official said. The official praised the agency’s intelligence gatheting capabilities, swift operational response and coordinated enforcement efforts in detecting and disrupting organised gold-smuggling networks in the country.
The seizure comes at the heels of tax imposed on gold duties to curb illegal inflows and protect economic interests amidst the ongoing West Asia conflict.