Continuing its sustained crackdown on gold smuggling, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Mumbai Zonal Unit, based on specific intelligence, intercepted three Indian passengers arriving from Dubai at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai, in the early hours of 23.09.2026, with operational assistance from the Air Intelligence Unit (AIU), Mumbai Airport Customs.

Detailed examination of their baggage revealed a highly sophisticated and unusual method of concealment, wherein foreign-origin gold had been converted into fine powder and meticulously mixed with packaged food products of similar colour, texture and consistency to evade detection.

The gold powder was found concealed across several apparently ordinary food packets like milk powder, oats, various flours, Nutella and coconut milk powder. In all, approximately 33.50 kg food products mixed with gold powder were recovered from the baggage of the three passengers.

Through careful segregation and assaying, 9.40 kg foreign-origin gold, valued at approximately Rs. 14.81 crore, was recovered and seized under the relevant provisions of the Customs Act, 1962. During questioning, all three passengers admitted to acting on behalf of the same organised gold-smuggling syndicate. They were accordingly arrested under the relevant provisions of the Customs Act, 1962.

The operation has uncovered a novel and sophisticated method of gold smuggling, wherein powdered gold was ingeniously blended with a wide variety of packaged food products to evade routine detection. 

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SR/KMN