Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai
Mumbai, Jul 25: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has arrested three Ethiopian nationals for allegedly attempting to smuggle more than 12 kg of gold, valued at approximately Rs 18 crore, by concealing it inside the washroom panels of an international flight that arrived from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
The accused have been identified as Ahmed Abdurahman (24), Mohammed Abdurahman (20), and Jemil Nuri Mohammed (29). They landed in Mumbai on Thursday evening aboard a flight from the Ethiopian capital.
According to DRI officials, the operation was based on specific intelligence suggesting that certain passengers intended to smuggle gold either by carrying it on their person or by hiding it inside the aircraft with the alleged assistance of airport cleaning staff, who would later retrieve the contraband and facilitate its illegal clearance.
Acting on the information, DRI officers intercepted the three passengers at the aerobridge immediately after the aircraft landed. Although personal searches did not reveal any contraband, a detailed examination of their cabin baggage led to the recovery of Allen keys from each of the accused.
Investigators said the discovery of the tools raised suspicion, prompting sustained interrogation. During questioning, the accused allegedly admitted that the Allen keys were meant to open aircraft panels and conceal the gold inside the rear washrooms of the aircraft for later retrieval.
According to the DRI, Jemil Nuri Mohammed disclosed that he had received six gold bars in Addis Ababa before boarding the flight. He allegedly distributed three bars each to the other two accused and instructed them to hide the consignment separately inside the aircraft's two rear washrooms using the Allen keys. The other two accused are also alleged to have confirmed the plan during questioning.
Following these disclosures, DRI officials escorted the trio back to the aircraft, where a search of the rear washrooms resulted in the recovery of six gold bars wrapped in brown adhesive tape and concealed inside the washroom panels.
A government-approved valuer examined the seized consignment and certified it as 24-carat gold weighing 12,004 grams, with an estimated market value of around Rs 18 crore.
Officials said that if the gold had been legally imported through the baggage route, customs duty of nearly Rs 7.92 crore would have been payable. The alleged smuggling attempt, therefore, involved an estimated duty evasion of the same amount.
Appearing before the customs court, defence counsel Ravi Hirani argued that his clients were unaware of Indian customs laws. After hearing the matter, the court remanded all three accused to judicial custody while further investigation into the alleged smuggling network continues.