Mumbai Tops Gold Smuggling Hotspots as Airport DRI Seizes Over 1,000 kg in 2024-25

According to a report by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), gold smuggling in 2024-2025 remained concentrated in a few key states across India.

Mumbai recorded the highest number of cases and the largest quantity of seized gold. This made it the leading hotspot for airport-based gold smuggling in the country.

In total, the DRI seized 1,073 kilograms of gold, valued at around INR 785 crore, during the year. It noted that gold smuggling operations follow a well-organised structure. These syndicates operate through layered networks. Masterminds based in India or abroad finance the operations. Organisers then recruit carriers, which transport it into India. 

The gender profile of arrested smugglers showed that men formed the majority in 2024–2025. However, women accounted for around 10 per cent of arrests. The report indicated a rise in female involvement, possibly due to lower levels of suspicion during screening.

The domicile profile showed that most carriers arrested were Indian nationals. This highlighted the dominance of domestic carriers in gold smuggling activities. Foreign nationals were involved in limited numbers. These included carriers from Kenya and Iran. Isolated cases also involved individuals from Thailand, Turkey, Afghanistan, Oman, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States.

According to an official news release, during a recent three-day operation, customs agents at Mumbai Airport confiscated 2.270 kg of 24-carat gold dust and 230 grammes of 24-carat gold jewellery from various travellers.

In one instance, a Bangladeshi individual travelling from Male to Dubai was detained while allegedly giving four packets of gold dust hidden in wax, weighing 1,460 grammes and valued at INR 1.86 crore, to a ground employee, according to spot checks and the Advanced Passenger Information System (APIS) profiling.

In a similar incident, an Indian national was apprehended while giving packets of 24-carat gold dust in wax, totalling 810 grammes and valued at INR 1.03 crore, to another BWFS employee. The passenger was going from Dubai to Bangkok via Mumbai.

In the third incident, an Indian passenger who arrived from Muscat on IndiGo flight 6E-1268 on Tuesday was found to have 230 grammes of 24-carat gold, estimated at INR 29.35 lakh, in the shape of a kada and chain. The passenger had the gold hidden on his body and inside his wallet.

Smuggled gold does not always arrive as foreign-origin bars. In many cases, it enters the country as jewellery or in wax form. This gold is often melted at illegal units to produce 24-carat bars. It is then sold in local markets or converted into jewellery. The profits are usually sent overseas through hawala channels or illegal foreign exchange routes. 

Air routes continue to be the main channel for smuggling gold into India. The report also highlighted a growing trend of hiding gold inside aircraft. Gold is concealed in cavities within the plane during international flights. It is later retrieved by passengers, crew members, or airport staff. Another method identified by the DRI involves concealing gold inside the human body.