Mumbai: In a major crackdown on gold smuggling, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) seized 29.37 kg of gold worth ₹37.74 crore from 24 women at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, officials said on Thursday.
Acting on specific intelligence inputs, the DRI’s Mumbai Zonal Unit launched a special operation codenamed “Operation Dhahabu Blitz” on Wednesday. Officials described it as one of the biggest gold seizures at the airport this year.
According to authorities, the agency had received a tip-off about passengers arriving from Nairobi, Kenya, allegedly carrying concealed gold. Based on this information, 24 foreign nationals who had landed from Nairobi were intercepted for inspection.
During the search, officials recovered 25.1 kg of gold bars and 4.27 kg of gold jewellery hidden in their baggage and clothing.
The term “Dhahabu,” used in the operation’s codename, means gold in Swahili, officials noted.
Further investigation is underway to uncover the network behind the smuggling racket and determine its wider links.
