Mumbai Airport Customs Bust Gold Smuggling Syndicate, Arrest CISF Personnel And Byculla Resident; Seize Gold Worth ₹57 Lakh

Mumbai: The Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) of the Customs have busted a gold smuggling syndicate and have arrested two persons, including a Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) for allegedly being part of the syndicate. The agency officials have also seized gold valued at Rs 57 lakh from one of the accused.

According to the Customs sources, on the night duty of 07/08-05-2025 one Byculla resident M.R.H. Ansari was intercepted at parking area at level P3 west side of CSMI Airport, Mumbai on the specific intelligence. Thereafter the officers asked him if he has any contraband item or any gold/dutiable item or any item which has been handed over to him by any passenger or staff, to which he admitted that he received one packet containing gold from one of the CISF personnel, A. Dhale for delivering the same outside the airport.

During the personal search of the said person, Customs officers recovered a pouch which was wrapped with black adhesive tape. Thereafter, the recovered pouch was cut open by the officers and gold dust in wax form were recovered. Total gold having net weight of 630 grams provisionally valued at Rs 57.34 lakh was recovered and seized under the reasonable belief that the same were being attempted to be smuggled Into India in a clandestine manner.

"In his voluntary statement Ansari admitted knowledge, possession, handling, concealing, smuggling and recovery of the seized gold. He also admitted that he has no legal documents of the seized gold and the said gold does not belong to him. He also admitted that he attempted this act for monetary benefits. He has confessed his involvement in aiding and abetting of the smuggling activity currently and on previous occasions also," said a Customs official.

Based on the information provided by Ansari, CISF personnel A. Dhale, a resident of Kharghar, Navi Mumbai, was also questioned and later arrested after he was found to be involved in the smuggling racket.