Mumbai, April 10 The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence seized 29.37 kg of gold worth Rs 37.74 crore from 24 women at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, busting a major smuggling operation, an official said.
Based on specific intelligence, the DRI Mumbai Zonal Unit conducted 'Operation Dhahabu Blitz' on Wednesday, he said, adding that it may be one of the largest busts at Mumbai airport this year. 'Dahabu' is Swahili for gold.
"DRI received information about women coming from Nairobi in Kenya with concealed gold. Following this, 24 foreign nationals, who had arrived at Mumbai Airport from Nairobi, were stopped. 25.1 kg of gold bars and 4.27 kg of gold jewellery were recovered from their bags and clothes," he said on Thursday.
The women were trained to conceal the gold and evade checks, which indicates a well-planned syndicate using such carriers to circumvent airport security, the official said.
While the women will be produced in court, further investigation is underway to apprehend the masterminds of the operation, he added.