The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has seized foreign-origin gold valued at approximately Rs 4.20 crore at Mumbai's international airport and arrested three individuals in connection with an alleged gold smuggling operation.
According to officials, the operation was carried out following specific intelligence inputs regarding an attempt to smuggle gold into India through a concealed method. During the search, DRI officers recovered gold hidden inside wax blocks, a technique allegedly used to evade customs detection and security screening.
Investigators said the seized consignment contained several kilograms of foreign-origin gold that had been carefully embedded within wax material. The unusual concealment method was detected during a detailed examination of the luggage and other items carried by the suspects.
The three accused were taken into custody and questioned by DRI officials. Preliminary investigations suggest that they may have been part of a larger smuggling network involved in bringing precious metals into the country illegally. Authorities are now examining travel records, communication devices, and financial transactions to identify possible links with international syndicates.
Officials stated that the recovered gold has been seized under the provisions of the Customs Act. The arrested individuals are expected to be produced before a court, while further investigations continue to determine the source of the gold and its intended destination.
Gold smuggling remains a major concern for enforcement agencies, particularly through international airports. Smugglers often resort to innovative concealment techniques to bypass customs checks, including hiding gold in machinery, electronic devices, clothing, food items, and other materials. Enforcement agencies have intensified surveillance and intelligence-based operations to curb such activities.
The DRI, India's premier anti-smuggling agency, has conducted several successful operations in recent months targeting illegal gold imports. Officials noted that intelligence-led investigations and advanced screening technologies have helped authorities detect increasingly sophisticated smuggling attempts.
The latest seizure highlights the continued efforts of enforcement agencies to combat organized smuggling networks and protect government revenue. Authorities said investigations are ongoing and further arrests cannot be ruled out as officials work to uncover the full extent of the operation.
The seized gold, valued at Rs 4.20 crore, has been taken into official custody, and the case is expected to remain under detailed investigation in the coming weeks.
