Mumbai: Mumbai Customs officials on Sunday busted an alleged international gold smuggling racket at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) and seized smuggled gold worth over ₹4.19 crore from two passengers who arrived from Dubai.On specific intelligence, the Air Intelligence Unit of Customs intercepted the two passengers, identified as Sanket Gadave and Pratik Jadhav, travelling from Dubai, who would attempt to smuggle prohibited or restricted goods into India. While Gadave is a native of Kolhapur, Jadhav is a native of Sangli.
Customs officers strategically positioned themselves near the exit gate of the arrival hall and intercepted the duo after they crossed the green channel. The passengers were identified through their passports and were questioned about carrying any dutiable goods, gold or contraband items. Both denied carrying any such items.
Officials first examined their baggage, but no incriminating material was found. Subsequently, personal searches of the passengers were conducted in the presence of gazetted Customs officers under Section 102 of the Customs Act, 1962.
During the search of Sanket Gadave, officers recovered a black pouch concealed inside his clothing. The pouch appeared unusually heavy and, upon questioning, Gadave allegedly admitted that it contained gold in wax form. A similar pouch was recovered from Pratik Jadhav, who allegedly stated that it contained gold dust in wax form.
Customs officials said the accused disclosed during questioning that the pouches were handed over to them by a Dubai-based individual linked to a gold smuggling syndicate. The duo allegedly admitted that the gold was intended to be smuggled into India without declaration before Customs authorities.
31/05/2026 Ahmed Ali/Times of India
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