In a major anti-smuggling operation, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has seized nearly 29.37 kg of gold worth ₹37.74 crore from 24 women passengers at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. The operation has exposed a suspected international smuggling network and is being described by officials as one of the biggest airport busts in recent months.

According to officials, the DRI Mumbai Zonal Unit carried out the coordinated operation, codenamed ‘Operation Dhahabu Blitz’, on Wednesday based on specific intelligence inputs. The name “Dhahabu” is derived from Swahili, meaning gold, reflecting the nature of the seizure and the cross-border origin of the operation.

The women, who had arrived in Mumbai from Nairobi, Kenya, were intercepted after authorities received information that a group of passengers was carrying concealed gold into the country. Upon detailed inspection, officials recovered 25.1 kg of gold bars and 4.27 kg of gold jewellery hidden inside luggage and clothing.

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Investigators said the individuals involved appeared to have been trained in concealment techniques, indicating the presence of a well-organised smuggling syndicate. Officials believe the network may be using multiple carriers to bypass airport security systems and avoid detection during routine checks.

The arrested women are expected to be produced before a court, while authorities continue to interrogate them to identify the larger network behind the operation. Investigators are also examining travel patterns, communication records, and financial transactions to trace the possible kingpins orchestrating the racket.

Officials have confirmed that a wider probe is underway to dismantle the syndicate responsible for the smuggling attempt. The case has raised fresh concerns about the use of international passenger routes for illegal gold trafficking and the evolving methods used by organised smuggling networks to evade law enforcement.

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