Mumbai Airport: DRI Arrests 2 Dubai Returnees, Seizes ₹19 Crore Smuggled Gold Hidden In Waist Belts

Mumbai: The officers of Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) have arrested two persons for allegedly smuggling gold worth nearly Rs 19 crore from Dubai, agency officials said on Thursday. According to the DRI sources, based on specific intelligence, DRI officers intercepted two passengers travelling from Dubai to Mumbai.

"A personal search of the two passengers resulted in the recovery of 21 foreign-marked gold kilo bars and 1 cut piece of foreign marked gold bar ingeniously concealed inside the customized waist belts worn by them beneath their shirts," said a DRI official.

He added, "During their voluntary statements, both passengers admitted to being involved in smuggling of gold. The recovered 21.288 kg of smuggled gold (valued at Rs 18.92 crores) was seized and the two passengers were arrested under the provisions of the Customs Act."

Last month, DRI officers in two separate cases had collectively seized gold worth over Rs 9 crore. A total of seven persons including three women were arrested in these cases.

On February 14, DRI officers, based on specific intelligence had intercepted three Iranian nationals travelling from Dubai to Mumbai for allegedly smuggling gold valued at Rs 6.28 crore.