DRI Busts Gold and Diamond Smuggling Syndicate at Mumbai Airport; 8 Arrested

Officers of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) Mumbai have dismantled a gold and diamond smuggling syndicate operating at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, leading to the arrest of eight persons including Bangladeshi and Sri Lankan nationals. The agency seized diamonds valued at Rs 1.10 crore and gold worth Rs 12.64 crore.

Based on specific intelligence, DRI targeted S.K. Ansari, a ground staff member at an airport food eatery, suspected of orchestrating smuggling operations. Officers apprehended Ansari and passenger M.S.L. Balli, who was travelling to Dubai, recovering three egg-shaped capsules containing gold in wax form during a search.

Questioning of the two led to the arrest of four Bangladeshi and two Sri Lankan nationals involved in the syndicate. The seizure includes 8,320 grams of gold and high-value diamonds, marking a significant blow to the smuggling network.