Mumbai Airport Customs Bust: Drugs, Gold, and Foreign Currency Worth Crores Seized

Mumbai (The Uttam Hindu): Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport has witnessed a string of major crackdowns by the Customs Department, with seizures ranging from narcotics to foreign currency and gold between September 21–24. These high-profile operations underline how airports continue to be prime hotspots for smuggling activities.

In the first case, a passenger arriving from Colombo on flight UL-141 was intercepted based on profiling. A search of his trolley bag revealed 2.624 kg of hydroponic weed, valued at around ₹2.62 crore in the illegal market. The passenger was arrested under the NDPS Act, 1985.

In the second case, based on specific intelligence, officials intercepted a passenger traveling to Dubai on flight EK-509. His handbag concealed foreign currency equivalent to ₹7.11 lakh, which was seized.

The third case also involved another passenger on the same EK-509 Dubai-bound flight. A search of his handbag led to the recovery of foreign currency worth ₹49.38 lakh.

In the fourth case, a passenger arriving from Bangkok on flight SQ-424 was stopped for screening. His trolley bag was found carrying 18.400 kg of hydroponic weed, valued at approximately ₹18.40 crore. He was also arrested under the NDPS Act, 1985.

In the fifth case, acting on intelligence, customs officials stopped a passenger traveling to Jakarta on flight 6E-1601. His handbag carried foreign currency worth ₹19.17 lakh.

Separately, customs officers also recovered a dust-oval shaped piece of gold weighing 365 grams, valued at ₹38.10 lakh, from a washroom near the immigration clearance counter. The gold was seized under provisions of the Customs Act, 1962.