The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Mumbai Zonal Unit, has seized 9.40 kg of foreign-origin gold valued at approximately ₹14.81 crore in a major operation against gold smuggling at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai. The gold was allegedly concealed in powdered form by mixing it with various packaged food products in an attempt to bypass routine checks.
Acting on specific intelligence, DRI officers intercepted three Indian passengers who had arrived from Dubai at the Mumbai airport during the early hours of September 23, 2026. The operation was conducted with operational assistance from the Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) of Mumbai Airport Customs.
A detailed inspection of the passengers and their baggage subsequently revealed an unusual method of concealment. Instead of carrying gold in conventional forms, the suspected smugglers had converted the foreign-origin gold into fine powder and blended it with food products that had a similar colour, texture and consistency.
The gold-containing material was concealed in several apparently ordinary food packets. These included milk powder, oats, different varieties of flour, Nutella and coconut milk powder. Altogether, around 33.50 kg of food products containing gold powder were recovered from the baggage carried by the three passengers.
Following the recovery, the authorities undertook a detailed process of segregation and assaying to separate the gold from the food products and determine the quantity and purity of the metal. The exercise resulted in the recovery of 9.40 kg of foreign-origin gold. Based on prevailing valuation, the seized gold was estimated to be worth approximately ₹14.81 crore.
The recovered gold was seized under the relevant provisions of the Customs Act, 1962. The seizure represents a significant success for intelligence-led enforcement efforts aimed at identifying increasingly sophisticated methods being adopted to illegally bring precious metals into the country.
During questioning, the three passengers reportedly admitted that they were working on behalf of the same organised gold-smuggling syndicate. Based on the investigation and the circumstances surrounding the seizure, all three individuals were arrested under the applicable provisions of the Customs Act, 1962.
The case highlights the evolving nature of gold-smuggling techniques, with organised networks increasingly attempting to conceal precious metals in everyday commodities. The use of powdered gold mixed with packaged food products represents a particularly unconventional concealment method and was designed to make the material appear similar to legitimate food items.
The latest seizure also underlines the role of intelligence-based interception and coordinated action by enforcement agencies at international airports. DRI and Customs authorities routinely monitor passenger movements and baggage based on risk indicators and specific intelligence to detect attempts to evade customs controls.
The investigation into the seized consignment and the alleged syndicate is expected to provide further information about the network involved, including the movement of the gold and the role of the arrested passengers. Authorities will examine the circumstances surrounding the consignment as part of the ongoing proceedings under the Customs Act.
The operation demonstrates the challenges faced by enforcement agencies in tackling organised gold smuggling, particularly as traffickers continue to experiment with unconventional concealment techniques. The recovery of gold worth ₹14.81 crore from food products at one of Mumbai’s busiest international gateways highlights the importance of detailed examination, intelligence sharing and coordinated enforcement in disrupting such networks.
Author: Shivam
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