Mumbai: The authorities of Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) on Saturday said that it has seized foreign-origin gold worth Rs 6.30 crore from a passenger at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport here.
Official sources said that acting on specific intelligence, DRI officials intercepted a passenger who had arrived from Bangkok on Thai Airways flight TG 317.
A detailed personal search led to the recovery of 14 gold bars of various weights, cumulatively weighing 6,735.42 grams. The gold, valued at approximately Rs 6.30 crore, had been cleverly concealed in the passenger’s shoe.
“The concealment was ingenious, and the gold bars were found hidden in the footwear worn by the passenger,” a DRI official said.
During questioning, the passenger voluntarily disclosed the identity of the intended recipient of the smuggled gold. Based on this information, the DRI apprehended the buyer as well.
“In his statement, the buyer admitted to his involvement in the smuggling operation,” the official added.
Both the passenger and the buyer have been arrested under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962. The smuggled gold has been seized, and further investigation is currently underway.