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Mumbai: The Customs Department seized electronic goods, cosmetics, cigarettes, and raw gold from passengers arriving from Dubai at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport on May 1 and 2. The total value of these seized items exceeds ₹1.8 crore. An official stated on Sunday that one individual has also been arrested in connection with this case.
Officials stated, “Two separate cases have been registered against two passengers. ‘Spot profiling’ of these passengers…” (Action was taken based on on-the-spot identification and inspection. In one instance, they were found carrying goods worth ₹84.3 lakh. In another case, eight packets wrapped in brown tape were recovered from the commodes of both lavatories located in the rear section of the aircraft.
“This recovery was made after a thorough search of the aircraft.” Officials stated that 695 grams of 24-carat raw gold, valued at ₹95.3 lakh, was seized from a passenger arriving on a SpiceJet flight. The official added that the individual has been arrested.
Arrests and Investigations
One passenger was officially placed under arrest following the gold seizure. Customs officials have emphasized that these operations are part of an ongoing effort to combat organized smuggling through increased vigilance and advanced passenger profiling.
Wider Crackdown on Contraband
This airport operation coincides with other major enforcement actions in the Mumbai area during early May 2026:
- Heroin Seizure: Police in Santacruz arrested an individual with 508 grams of high-grade heroin valued at ₹2.54 crore in the international market.
- Mephedrone Bust: In Navi Mumbai, an individual was caught with 344 grams of mephedrone (MD) worth approximately ₹86 lakh.
These cumulative seizures highlight the high level of alert among law enforcement agencies across Mumbai’s transit hubs and neighborhoods.