Customs – Mumbai Airport Sees Major Drug and Gold Seizures in Weeklong Operation
Customs – Customs officials at Mumbai’s international airport uncovered several cases of narcotics and gold smuggling during enforcement operations carried out between March 3 and March 10, 2026. The actions were conducted by officers from the Airport Commissionerate under Mumbai Customs Zone–III, according to an official statement released by the department.
Narcotics Seized From Passengers Arriving From Bangkok
During the weeklong operation, customs officers detected four separate cases involving suspected hydroponic weed, a banned narcotic substance under Indian law. The contraband was recovered from five passengers who had arrived on flights from Bangkok.
Authorities reported that the total quantity of the seized substance was approximately 12.031 kilograms. Based on current estimates, the illicit drugs could be worth nearly ₹12.03 crore in the illegal market.
Following the discovery, all five individuals were taken into custody. Officials confirmed that the arrests were made under provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985, which governs cases related to illegal narcotics trafficking in India.
Gold Smuggling Cases Also Detected
Apart from drug seizures, customs officers also identified three separate attempts to smuggle gold through the airport. In these incidents, authorities recovered a combined total of 409 grams of gold from three passengers in individual cases.
Officials stated that the seized gold has an estimated market value of around ₹59.57 lakh. The recoveries were made during routine customs checks conducted as part of airport surveillance operations.
While authorities did not disclose the exact concealment methods used in each case, officials confirmed that the gold was being transported without proper declaration, which constitutes a violation of customs regulations.
Intelligence-Based Operation Leads to Additional Drug Recovery
In another development during the same period, customs officials acted on specific intelligence inputs to intercept a passenger arriving from Bangkok. During the inspection, officers recovered 499 grams of suspected hydroponic weed from the individual.
The illegal substance seized in this case is estimated to be valued at approximately ₹49.9 lakh in the black market. The passenger was subsequently arrested under the relevant provisions of the NDPS Act, 1985.
Authorities stated that the operation demonstrates the continued use of intelligence-driven profiling and surveillance measures to detect illegal trafficking attempts.
Passenger Profiling and Spot Checks Help Detect Smuggling
According to the official press release, many of the cases were identified through a combination of random spot checks and passenger profiling using the Advance Passenger Information System (APIS). This system enables authorities to analyze passenger travel data before arrival, helping officers identify potential risk profiles.
Officials noted that such technology-driven monitoring has significantly strengthened the ability of customs authorities to detect illegal activities at major international entry points.
Investigation Into Cases Continues
Customs authorities confirmed that further investigations are currently underway in all the cases detected during the operation. Officials are examining possible links to larger smuggling networks and attempting to identify whether the individuals involved were acting independently or as part of organized trafficking groups.
Law enforcement agencies continue to monitor international travel routes that are frequently used for illegal transportation of narcotics and precious metals. Officials reiterated that strict enforcement measures remain in place at Indian airports to prevent smuggling and protect national economic and security interests.