Passenger held with gold worth ₹3.89 crore at Mumbai airport

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence has claimed to have busted a gold smuggling syndicate after seizing the yellow metal worth ₹3.89 crore at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai, an official said.

Based on specific intelligence, DRI officials on Wednesday (December 31, 2025) intercepted a passenger who had arrived from Bahrain.

A search of his baggage led to the recovery of 12 capsules filled with gold dust in wax form, weighing 3.05 kg, the official said.

The capsules were concealed inside a water tumbler to evade detection. The recovered gold, found to be of 24-carat purity, is worth ₹3.89 crore, he said.

The precious metal has been seized, and a probe is underway, the official added.