Mumbai Customs seized 10.4 kg of gold worth Rs 8.47 crore in four operations at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport between March 13 and 15, arresting five individuals, including three private airport staffers, officials said Monday.

In the first case, a staffer was intercepted with 2.8 kg of 24-karat gold dust in wax form, valued at Rs 2.27 crore, hidden in six oval-shaped capsules inside his pants pockets. He was arrested under the Customs Act. In a second operation, another staffer from the international departures area was caught with 2.9 kg of gold dust in wax, worth Rs 2.36 crore, concealed in seven capsules within his undergarments, leading to his arrest.

The third seizure involved a staffer carrying 1.6 kg of gold dust in wax form, valued at Rs 1.31 crore, in two pouches hidden in his undergarments. Further probe led to his arrest along with two accomplices. In the final case, officers rummaging through garbage bags from an international flight’s lavatories and pantry discovered two black pouches containing 3.1 kg of gold dust in wax form, valued at Rs 2.53 crore.

The operations exposed a smuggling ring involving airport insiders concealing gold in clothing and trash. Customs officials said investigations are ongoing to uncover the network’s full extent. The seizures highlight intensified efforts to curb gold smuggling at one of India’s busiest airports.