Mumbai, April 9 The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has busted a gold smuggling racket at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) in Mumbai, and arrested 24 women who were transporting 29.37 kilograms of gold worth Rs 37.74 crore. An official said on Thursday.
Based on specific intelligence, the DRI Mumbai Zonal Unit conducted 'Operation Dhahabu Blitz' on Wednesday, he said, adding that it may be among the largest busts at Mumbai airport this year. 'Dhahabu' is Swahili for gold.
"DRI received information about women coming from Nairobi in Kenya with hidden gold. Following this, 24 foreign nationals who had arrived at Mumbai Airport from Nairobi were stopped. 25.10 kg of gold bars and 4.27 kg of gold jewellery were recovered from their bags and clothes," he said.
The women were trained to hide the gold and evade checks, which indicates a well-planned syndicate using such carriers to circumvent airport security, the official pointed out.
While the women will be produced in court, further investigation is underway to apprehend the masterminds of the racket, the official said.