The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) arrested a passenger at Mumbai airport after recovering gold worth Rs 6.3 crore concealed in his shoes. The operation led to the arrest of a smuggling syndicate buyer as well
Representational Pic
In a significant breakthrough in the fight against gold smuggling, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has apprehended a passenger at Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport for attempting to smuggle gold worth Rs 6.3 crore concealed in his shoes. The passenger, who had arrived from Bangkok, was intercepted by DRI officials on specific intelligence about gold being smuggled into India.
According to an official from the DRI, the passenger was searched upon his arrival and was found to be carrying 6.7 kg of gold bars, which had been cunningly hidden inside the shoes he was wearing. The gold was valued at a staggering Rs 6.3 crore, and the passenger was promptly arrested. The DRI acted on precise information received prior to the passenger's arrival, leading to the successful interception.
The passenger, whose identity has not been revealed, was questioned by the DRI officials. During the investigation, the name of a prospective buyer of the smuggled gold emerged. Further operations were carried out, and the buyer was arrested in connection with the smuggling syndicate. The involvement of a prospective buyer sheds light on the complex web of gold smuggling networks operating at the airport.
This operation is part of the ongoing efforts by the DRI to curb gold smuggling activities, which have seen an increase in recent times, especially through unconventional methods of concealment.
Hydroponic weed of over Rs 9 crore, gold worth Rs 54 lakh seized at Mumbai international airport; 3 passengers held
In two separate operations, the Customs department arrested three passengers from the Mumbai International Airport and seized from them hydroponic weed worth Rs 9.53 crore and gold pieces valued at Rs 53.83 lakh, officials said on Tuesday, reported news agency PTI.
The Mumbai Customs officials on April 6 apprehended a passenger, who arrived from Bangkok at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport and seized from him hydroponic weed weighing 9.532 kilograms, an official said, reported PTI.
The contraband was concealed in the trolley bag of the passenger, he said.
In another case, two passengers travelling from Dubai to Mumbai were arrested for smuggling 21-karat crude gold in the form of pieces, weighing 789 grams, he said, reported PTI.
The gold was concealed in their undergarments, he said.
Nigerian national held with MD drug valued more than Rs 80 lakh
In another case, police arrested a Nigerian national for allegedly possessing a banned Mephedrone drug valued at Rs 80.4 lakh in the Palghar district of Maharashtra, an official said on April 5, reported PTI.
Police seized 402 grams of Mephedrone (MD) from the accused, identified as Ifeanni Nwafor, on April 3. He is currently residing in the Rehmat Nagar area of Nallasopara, reported PTI.
An FIR has been registered under relevant sections of the NDPS Act.
"We are investigating the source of the seized drugs and trying to identify the network involved, including who the accused was planning to sell the contraband to," a police officer said.
Two held with mephedrone worth Rs 65,000 in Nashik
Two persons were arrested for alleged possession of mephedrone (MD) worth Rs 65,000 in Maharashtra's Nashik city, police said on Saturday, reported PTI.
Based on a tip-off, the anti-narcotics cell intercepted the accused when they arrived to sell the contraband at Nandur Naka on Friday night, an official said.
He said that 13 gm of MD worth Rs 65,000 was recovered from the duo.
A case has been registered against the accused, Jai Phirke (25) and Ankush Shantaram Chaudhari (24), under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act 1985, and further investigations were underway, reported PTI.
(With inputs from PTI)
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
