Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Apr 10: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has arrested 26 Kenyan nationals for allegedly smuggling 29.4 kg of gold valued at Rs 37.7 crore into India from Nairobi.

Acting on specific intelligence inputs and digital profiling, DRI officials kept surveillance at Terminal 2 of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport on Wednesday, tracking passengers arriving on flight KQ 202.

With heavy passenger movement at the airport, officials waited near the arrival area and planned to intercept the suspects after they crossed the green channel.

Around 11 am, the group approached the green channel but reportedly became suspicious on spotting officials and attempted to move away. During questioning, 25 passengers identified themselves, while the 26th individual was found to have been detained earlier for allegedly attempting to use a fake passport.

Though all 25 denied carrying contraband, a detailed search led to the recovery of gold bars concealed in the shoes of two passengers.

Officials said some members of the group were also seen discarding packets wrapped in black tape near the luggage belts. Subsequent searches led to the recovery of multiple pouches containing melted gold bars, none of which were claimed by the passengers.

Further investigation is underway to ascertain the smuggling network and possible links behind the operation.