The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Mumbai Zonal Unit, has busted an alleged gold smuggling syndicate operating through Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) and arrested six people, including a private airline ground staffer and five Bangladeshi nationals.
The DRI seized 6.85 kg of foreign-origin gold valued at around ₹10.75 crore during the operation, officials said. The estimated customs duty evasion in the case is around ₹3.76 crore.
The operation, internally code-named ‘Operation Midnight Goldstrike’, was launched after the DRI received specific intelligence about the suspected involvement of an airline ground staff member in a gold smuggling network.
Acting on the intelligence, DRI officers intercepted Munaf Jamadar, 23, a resident of Titwala, who was working as contractual ground staff for a private airline.
During a personal search, officers allegedly recovered seven egg-shaped capsules concealed in his back pockets. The capsules contained 24-carat gold dust mixed with wax, according to officials.
Investigators suspect that Jamadar was responsible for receiving smuggled gold from transit passengers and subsequently handing it over to recipients outside the airport.
Following his questioning, the DRI traced and intercepted other suspected members of the syndicate.
The other five accused are Bangladeshi nationals identified as Mohammed Mohiuddin, 36; Mohammad Ismail Hossen, 37; Mohammed Rashedul Alam, 38; Mohammed Abu Nasar, 38; and Mohammed Nazimuddin, 30.
According to the DRI, the group allegedly exploited international transit routes involving Dubai, Bangkok and Male, with Mumbai serving as the transit point.
Officers recovered another nine capsules from the alleged members of the network. Altogether, 16 capsules containing 6.85 kg of gold dust in wax form were seized.
The seized gold, valued at approximately ₹10.75 crore, was taken into custody under the provisions of the Customs Act.
The agency is now investigating the source of the foreign-origin gold, the intended recipients and the wider network allegedly operating behind the smuggling operation.
DRI officials said that more evidence is being collected as the investigation progresses. Several other suspected members of the syndicate are yet to be apprehended, and efforts are underway to identify and arrest them.
Three of the accused—Mohammed Mohiuddin, Mohammed Rashedul Alam and Mohammed Nazimuddin—were represented by advocates Ashish Singh and Birendra Yadav in court and were subsequently remanded to judicial custody.
The investigation remains at an early stage, with the DRI continuing to examine the alleged roles of the accused and other individuals linked to the smuggling network.