Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, May 4: The Customs department has confiscated electronic goods, cosmetics, cigarettes, and crude gold valued at over Rs 1.8 crore during a series of checks at the city airport, officials said on Sunday. One passenger has been arrested in connection with the seizure.

The action was carried out on May 1 and 2 at the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, following targeted profiling of incoming passengers, particularly those arriving from Dubai.

According to officials, two separate cases were registered against passengers who had landed with undeclared goods worth around Rs 84.3 lac. In another instance, customs officers conducted a detailed inspection onboard an aircraft and recovered eight brown-tape-wrapped packets hidden in the rear lavatory area.

In a significant seizure, officials recovered 695 grams of 24-karat crude gold valued at approximately Rs 95.3 lac from a passenger who arrived on a SpiceJet flight. The individual was taken into custody following the recovery.

Authorities said the combined seizures from all cases during the operation exceeded Rs 1.8 crore. Further investigation is underway to determine the wider smuggling network involved and possible links to organised trafficking routes.