The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has busted an elaborate gold smuggling racket operating through Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. Based on precise intelligence inputs, DRI officials intercepted a male cabin crew member from Air India flight AI-116 arriving from New York on 13 June 2025.
Initially, no contraband was found during the security check. However, upon sustained interrogation, the crew member confessed to having hidden a pouch in the aircraft’s baggage service area. The pouch, recovered shortly after, was wrapped in black duct tape and concealed 1,373 grams of foreign-origin gold. The gold’s market value is estimated to be ₹1.41 crore.
FCRF x CERT-In Roll Out National Cyber Crisis Management Course to Prepare India’s Digital Defenders
Racket Mastermind Nabbed, Admits Long-Term Operation
Following the arrest of the crew member, DRI expanded the investigation and apprehended the alleged mastermind behind the operation. According to officials, the handler had orchestrated multiple smuggling attempts using airline crew members as unsuspecting couriers. He also confessed to running this racket over an extended period, exploiting gaps in airport and in-flight security protocols.
The involvement of insiders in aviation—specifically airline crew and possibly ground staff—has emerged as a troubling trend. Both individuals have been charged under provisions of the Customs Act, 1962 and are now in custody. The DRI is continuing to investigate to identify other potential collaborators.
Algoritha: The Most Trusted Name in BFSI Investigations and DFIR Services
Not an Isolated Case: DRI’s Track Record of Cracking Insider Smuggling
This isn’t the first time that DRI has uncovered gold smuggling operations involving airline personnel. Over the years, several cases have come to light where ground staff, loaders, and crew members were complicit in smuggling activities. Smugglers often take advantage of lax screening for airline staff, timing of post-flight tests, and familiarity with airport infrastructure.
The case underscores the need for stricter surveillance, more robust checks for airline personnel, and better coordination between customs and aviation authorities. With gold smuggling on the rise due to high import duties and increasing domestic demand, such attempts are likely to become more sophisticated—making intelligence-led enforcement all the more critical.