Mumbai Customs Seizes Contraband Worth Over ₹37 Crore in One Week; 11 Arrested, Gold and Narcotics Among Major Recoveries

Officers of the Airport Commissionerate, Mumbai Customs Zone–III, conducted a series of successful anti-smuggling operations between June 24 and June 30, 2026, resulting in the seizure of gold, narcotics, foreign currency, cigarettes, electronics, cosmetics and other dutiable goods collectively valued at over ₹37 crore. The week-long enforcement drive also led to the arrest of 11 persons in connection with various smuggling cases.

The enforcement actions were carried out across multiple cases involving passengers arriving at or departing from Mumbai’s international airport. According to Customs authorities, the operations underline the department’s continued vigilance against organized smuggling networks attempting to exploit international air routes.

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Gold Worth ₹10.55 Crore Seized from 18 Passengers

During the reporting period, Customs officers registered 18 separate cases involving gold smuggling, recovering gold valued at approximately ₹10.55 crore from 18 passengers.

The gold was allegedly concealed using various innovative methods to evade Customs detection. Authorities are investigating the source, intended recipients and possible links with organized smuggling syndicates.

Foreign Currency Worth ₹31.19 Lakh Recovered

In another significant action, Customs officers seized UAE Dirham 1,25,000, valued at approximately ₹31.19 lakh, in one case involving alleged illegal export of foreign currency.

The case is under investigation to determine whether the currency movement violated the applicable provisions governing cross-border transportation of foreign exchange.

Cigarette Smuggling Detected

The Airport Commissionerate also intercepted 380 cartons of Esse Lite cigarettes, valued at approximately ₹7.60 lakh, in a separate case.

Authorities suspect that the cigarettes were being transported without complying with Customs requirements, and further investigations are underway.

Electronics and Other Dutiable Goods Worth ₹1.17 Crore Seized

Customs officers also booked seven cases involving commercial quantities of dutiable goods, including:

Electronics
Cigarettes
Cosmetics
Other commercial merchandise

The seized goods are collectively valued at approximately ₹1.17 crore.

Officials stated that these consignments appeared to be intended for commercial distribution while attempting to evade applicable Customs duties.

Narcotics Worth ₹25.06 Crore Recovered in Seven Cases

One of the most significant achievements during the week was the seizure of narcotic substances valued at approximately ₹25.06 crore across seven separate cases.

The recovered contraband included:

68.302 kilograms of Hydroponic Weed
535 grams of Hashish
230 grams of Cocaine/Methaqualone

The narcotics were allegedly concealed using sophisticated methods, and investigations are in progress to identify the trafficking networks involved.

Eleven Persons Arrested

As part of the enforcement operations, 11 individuals were arrested in connection with various cases involving smuggling of gold, narcotic drugs and other prohibited or dutiable goods.

Further investigation is being carried out to ascertain the role of the accused persons and identify any larger interstate or international syndicates behind the smuggling attempts.

Continued Vigilance Against Cross-Border Smuggling

The seizures reflect the sustained enforcement efforts of Mumbai Customs Zone–III to curb cross-border smuggling through one of the country’s busiest international airports.

Customs authorities continue to intensify passenger profiling, intelligence-driven surveillance and inspection measures to detect attempts involving precious metals, narcotics, foreign currency and other prohibited or dutiable goods entering or leaving India.