Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Dec 25: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has uncovered a large-scale smuggling operation at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, arresting six individuals and seizing high-value electronic gadgets and cosmetics worth nearly Rs 4 crore late Tuesday night.

Acting on specific intelligence, DRI officials intercepted a group of seven passengers who had arrived from Dubai. Based on prior inputs that the group was carrying commercial quantities of smuggled goods, the officials detained them for detailed examination.

Subsequent checks led to the recovery of 186 high-end iPhones valued at approximately Rs 3.38 crore, along with 2,532 cosmetic products of Pakistani origin worth about Rs 9.26 lac. The arrested individuals were identified as Arman Qureshi, Gulfam Ahmed, Amaan Bukhari, Mustafa Chauhan, Abdul Chauhan, and Imran Hussain.

Officials said none of the accused could provide valid documents or proof of lawful import for the seized items. As a result, the goods were confiscated under Section 111 of the Customs Act, 1962, on the grounds that they had been illegally brought into the country in violation of customs regulations.

During questioning, the accused reportedly admitted that they were working as carriers for monetary gain and were part of a larger smuggling syndicate. Investigators also revealed that had the seized items been imported through legal channels, customs duties amounting to nearly Rs 1.18 crore — at an effective rate of around 35 percent — would have been payable.

Further investigations are underway to trace other members of the racket and identify the key operators behind the smuggling network.