The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence has foiled a major gold smuggling attempt at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai, seizing gold worth nearly ₹3.89 crore from a passenger arriving from Bahrain.
Acting on specific intelligence, DRI officers intercepted the passenger upon arrival and conducted a detailed baggage check. The search led to the recovery of 12 capsules containing gold dust mixed with wax, with a total weight of approximately 3.05 kilograms. The capsules were concealed inside a water tumbler in an apparent attempt to evade security checks.
Laboratory tests later confirmed that the seized material was 24-carat gold. The entire consignment has been taken into custody under customs laws, and further investigation is underway to trace the larger smuggling network involved in the operation.
This seizure is part of a broader crackdown by the DRI on the illegal import of precious metals through Indian airports.
In a related case earlier, DRI officials arrested two contractual staff members at the Mumbai airport after recovering 1.20 kilograms of smuggled gold valued at around ₹1.60 crore. The gold, also in the form of dust mixed with wax, was allegedly smuggled into India through aircraft and retrieved by airport staff after passengers had disembarked.
During surveillance operations, DRI officers observed suspicious behaviour by cleaning staff engaged by an airport services company. One staff member attempted to discard a package near the aerobridge staircase upon noticing officials. The recovered packet was later found to contain 24-carat gold concealed in wax, confirming organised smuggling activity within the airport premises.
Authorities continue to investigate both cases to dismantle the networks facilitating gold smuggling at major international airports.

Gold dust hidden in wax capsules seized from Bahrain passenger at CSMIA

DRI Seizes ₹3.89 Cr Gold at Mumbai Airport

Gold dust hidden in wax capsules seized from Bahrain passenger at CSMIA

January 1, 2026 | 13:10 IST