Mumbai Crime: DRI Busts Gold Smuggling Syndicate At CSMI Airport, Seizes Gold Worth ₹3.47 Crore; 5 Arrested
Mumbai, October 20, 2026: In a major crackdown on international gold smuggling networks, officials of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) have busted a sophisticated syndicate, seizing 2,317 grams of 24-karat gold valued at Rs 3.47 crore. The operation led to the interception and arrest of five individuals allegedly involved…
On October 20, 2026, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) apprehended a gold smuggling syndicate, seizing 2,317 grams of 24-karat gold worth Rs 3.47 crore. The operation targeted five individuals allegedly involved in an intricate scheme spanning multiple countries.
Two passengers, Akil Akhtar Mir and Shadab Salim Bagdadi, arriving from Dubai, were intercepted after landing at Terminal 2 due to intelligence suggesting they were carrying restricted goods. Despite declaring no items, the pair was observed during routine checks.
Upon interrogation, the passengers admitted to smuggling gold bars from Dubai. They confessed to handing over the gold to an airport staff member, Nilesh Haldankar, at the aerobridge to evade security checks. Haldankar was alleged to have delivered the consignment to receivers outside the terminal.
Customs officials, following this lead, apprehended two individuals, Shoaib Iqbal Shaikh and Aamir Akbar Khan, waiting at the P5 vehicle exit area of Terminal 2. Shaikh was searched and found to be carrying 19 gold bars and four small pieces of gold concealed in a wallet.
All five accused admitted to their roles in the smuggling network during their statements to investigators. Their legal representatives argued for their remand to judicial custody.
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