Editor’s Note
This report details a significant series of interdictions by Mumbai Customs at the city’s international airport, underscoring the ongoing challenges and enforcement efforts against smuggling networks. The seizures, with an estimated value exceeding ₹35 crore, highlight the diverse nature of illicit trafficking.
Mumbai, January 29 (IANS).
Mumbai Customs Zone-III has cracked several major smuggling cases at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) over the past week (January 21 to January 29, 2026). Based on spot checking, APIS profiling, and intelligence, the team of the Airport Commissionerate recovered drugs, gold, diamonds, and foreign currency in multiple cases. The total estimated market value of the seized illegal goods in these cases is reported to be over 35 crore rupees.
The biggest success was in the area of narcotics. In four separate cases of hydroponic weed (a high-quality cannabis product), a total of 26.522 kilograms of suspected NDPS (Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances) were recovered. Their illicit market value is estimated at approximately 26.522 crore rupees. All cases were linked to passengers arriving from Bangkok. Smugglers had attempted to bring in the contraband by concealing it in a special manner inside trolley bags. All four passengers were arrested under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.
Mumbai Customs also took strict action against gold smuggling. In a special case on January 27, 1470 grams of 24-carat gold (worth 2.1 crore rupees) was recovered. This case involved a Bangladeshi transit passenger and a staff member of HRPL (Hardcastle Restaurants Private Limited) at CSMIA airport. The gold had been handed over by the transit passenger to the airport staff. Both were arrested. The method used was body packing, meaning the gold was smuggled by concealing it inside the body.
In four other gold cases, 2162 grams of 24-carat gold (worth 2.89 crore rupees) was recovered from four passengers. In these cases, smugglers had hidden gold foils or biscuits inside clothing. In a separate case, 10660 carats (2132 grams) of diamonds were recovered, valued at 1.81 crore rupees. This passenger was attempting to bring in diamonds concealed in checked baggage.
In three foreign currency cases, foreign currency worth a total of 1.18 crore rupees was seized from four passengers. Smugglers had hidden cash in checked and hand baggage.
The Commissioner of Mumbai Customs stated that continuous surveillance has been increased at the airport to prevent smuggling. Such attempts are being thwarted using spot profiling, intelligence, and the Advanced Passenger Information System (APIS).
These successes are a blow to international smuggling networks, especially in drug and gold smuggling. As Mumbai Airport is a major entry point to the country, vigilance here is even more critical. The Customs team has appealed to passengers to comply with legal limits and not get involved in smuggling.