Mumbai, India – The Director of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) raided Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport on Monday during a sting operation known as Operation Golden Sweep.
The raid uncovered a plastic‑board–wrapped gold cache of 10.488 kg of 24‑karat gold stamped “foreign‐origin.” The jewel‑laden haul is worth about Rs 12.58 crore – roughly $1.6 million – and belongs to a growing international smuggling ring.
Who was caught?
The DRI arrested 13 people: two Bangladeshi nationals, six Sri Lankan citizens, two airport meet‑and‑greet staffers, two handlers, and the key mastermind operating out of Mumbai. The raid showed the syndicate had a tightly‑knit network that moves gold through transit passengers, sympathetic airline personnel, and handlers.
How did the smugglers work?
Travelers flying from Dubai to Singapore, Bangkok, and Dhaka but passing through Mumbai hid the gold in small, egg‑shaped wax capsules. Upon arrival, these passengers slipped the capsules to complicit airport staff in the international departures hall. The staff then smuggled the gold out of the airport, hand‑off to handlers, and finally to the ring’s receivers in Mumbai and Dubai. The team was layered – from transit passengers to airport insiders to field handlers and a mastermind.
Why it matters
The raid demonstrates how the DRI’s intelligence network can spot and destroy sophisticated gold‑smuggling operations. Officials say the case also highlights an increasing insider threat: organized syndicates now target airports and transit routes for profit. More investigations are underway to trace the full reach of the network.
The operation is a stark reminder that even busy international airports can become hot zones for illicit trade when a few staff members turn the system against security. The DRI remains on alert to shut down any further attempts to smuggle precious metals through Indian ports and airports. ()
Source: aninews
Stay informed on all the latest news, real-time breaking news updates, and follow all the important headlines in world News on Latest NewsX. Follow us on social media Facebook, Twitter(X), Gettr and subscribe our Youtube Channel.
