61 kg gold worth Rs 32 crore seized at Mumbai airport, biggest-one day catch; FM Sitharaman reacts

New Delhi: The Customs seized 61 kg of gold worth Rs 32 crore in separate operations at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai, making it the highest value seizure by the department at the airport in a single day, an official said on Sunday (November 13, 2022). At least seven travellers, five men and two women, were arrested in the seizures that were made on Friday, the official said. This is the highest seizure in a single day in the history of the customs at the Mumbai airport.

In the first operation, four Indians returning from Tanzania were found carrying 1 kg gold bars, which were concealed in specially-designed belts with multiple pockets. Officials recovered 53 kg of UAE-made gold bars, worth Rs 28.17 crore, from the belts that the passengers had worn around their torsos. The belts were handed over to the travellers by a Sudanese national at Doha airport during the transit time, the official said.

The four travellers were arrested and remanded to 14 days of judicial custody by a court, he added.

Similarly, customs officials also seized 8 kg of gold valued at Rs 3.88 crore from three passengers who had arrived from Dubai. The trio, including two women, were carrying gold dust in wax form.

On 11.11.2022, Mumbai Airport Customs foiled attempts to smuggle 61 Kg gold valued @ Rs 32 Crore. This was the highest ever seizure in a single day. 7 passengers were arrested. @cbic_india @nsitharamanoffc pic.twitter.com/nN2Y3ys9Ci

— Mumbai Customs-III (@mumbaicus3) November 13, 2022

The gold was ingeniously concealed in the waistline of the jeans the travellers had worn, the official said.

One of the women was is in her late 60s and was in a wheelchair, he said, adding that the trio were arrested and remanded to judicial custody.

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman appreciated Mumbai Customs for their alertness. 

"Your timely action has borne a stunning outcome. Well done," she said in a tweet.

Appreciate @mumbaicus3 for your alertness. Your timely action has borne a stunning outcome. Well done. @PIBHindi @PIB_India @FinMinIndia https://t.co/rgVTDv7koh — Nirmala Sitharaman (@nsitharaman) November 13, 2022