The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, Mumbai, has recently arrested 13 people including foreign nationals, airport staff and others for smuggling gold through Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International (CSMI) Airport and seized 10.5 kilograms of gold valued at Rs 12.58 crore. The operation was based on intelligence inputs and carried out under the name ‘Operation Golden Sweep.’ The arrested accused include two Bangladeshis, six Sri Lankan nationals, two airport staff, two handlers and a mastermind. According to a DRI official, it was found that the transit passengers from Dubai to Singapore, Bangkok and Dhaka via Mumbai acted as carriers, concealing gold in egg-shaped wax capsules inside their bodies. After arriving at the airport, the transit passengers discreetly handed over the smuggled gold to airport staff within the international departure area. The staff members then allegedly removed the smuggled gold from the airport premises and reportedly delivered it to handlers and receivers, who coordinated with the mastermind. The agency laid a trap and successfully busted a highly organised gold smuggling syndicate and arrested 13 persons, stated a press release. The mastermind from Mumbai was handling the smuggling syndicate who employed transit passengers in Dubai with his associate, recruited airport staff and several layers of receivers, said a DRI official.
