Operation Gold Grab: DRI Unravels Daring Smuggling Ring at Mumbai Airport, Two Staffers Nabbed

In a dramatic operation that exposed vulnerabilities at one of India's busiest airports, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has successfully dismantled a sophisticated gold smuggling syndicate operating right under the noses of authorities at Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA).

The bust, valued at a staggering Rs 1.6 crore, led to the apprehension of two individuals, including a contractual housekeeping staffer and a former airport employee, shedding light on an audacious plot to bypass security.

The intricate scheme involved a calculated exchange within the airport premises.

Passengers arriving on international flights would conceal gold in paste form and, once inside the airport, transfer it to waiting airport personnel in washroom facilities. These privileged individuals, with their access passes and intimate knowledge of airport layouts, would then facilitate the seamless removal of the illicit consignment from the heavily guarded terminals, effectively circumventing standard security protocols.

The breakthrough came when DRI officials, acting on specific intelligence, intercepted a passenger identified as Mohammad Iqbal.

Iqbal, who had recently arrived from Bangkok, was found to be carrying 3.2 kg of gold in paste form, a significant haul valued at Rs 1.6 crore. His immediate interrogation provided crucial leads that quickly unraveled the wider network.

Following Iqbal's revelation, DRI intensified its surveillance and investigative efforts, swiftly moving to apprehend the two airport staff members involved.

Their arrests highlight a troubling trend where individuals with legitimate access to sensitive areas are exploited or enticed into criminal activities, posing a considerable challenge to national security and economic integrity.

Authorities are now delving deeper into the ramifications of this bust, determined to uncover the masterminds orchestrating these operations and dismantle the entire chain of command.

The investigation is ongoing, with DRI officials working tirelessly to identify any other individuals or syndicates potentially involved in similar illicit activities, ensuring that Mumbai Airport remains a secure gateway against such nefarious designs.