Customs officials at Mumbai airport discovered diamonds concealed in noodle packets and gold hidden on passengers and in their bags, with a total value of Rs. 6.46 crore, according to PTI citing an official.
Last weekend, customs officials arrested eight passengers found with over 6.815 kg of gold worth Rs. 4.44 crore and diamonds valued at Rs. 2.02 crore, as per a statement released late on April 22.
One Indian traveler heading from Mumbai to Bangkok was apprehended with diamonds hidden in noodle packets inside his suitcase and subsequently arrested.
Another foreign traveler flying from Colombo to Mumbai was caught with gold bars and a small piece totaling 321 grams, concealed in her underwear.
Additionally, ten Indian nationals arriving from Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain, Doha, Riyadh, Muscat, Bangkok, and Singapore were apprehended with over 6 kilograms of gold, valued at about Rs. 4.04 crore, concealed in their rectums, on their bodies, and in their luggage. Three of them were arrested. Further details were not provided.
“Mumbai Customs Zone-III seized over 9.482 Kg Gold valued @ Rs. 5.71 Cr across 14 cases. Gold was found concealed in rectum, on body, in handbag and cavities in undergarments of pax. Eight Pax were arrested,” Mumbai Customs stated on X (formerly Twitter).
The seized gold items included gold chains, bracelets, rings, kadas, and discs concealed in clothes and luggage; gold chains and plates hidden in mobile phones and clothing; gold dust in wax hidden in rectums; and melted gold bars hidden in undergarments, as per ANI.
Furthermore, on April 19, officers of APSC Commissionerate, Mumbai Customs Zone III, intercepted and seized 2.314 kg of colored pills resembling MDMA valued at Rs. 4.62 crores, concealed in two cloth organizers. A controlled delivery operation resulted in the arrest of an Indian and a Foreign National.