In a significant crackdown on an international gold smuggling network, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Mumbai Zonal Unit, has busted a high-profile syndicate operating through the Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA). Acting on accurate intelligence, DRI officials intercepted an Air India crew member and seized smuggled gold worth more than Rs 1.41 crore. In this case, the kingpin of this syndicate along with the crew member has been arrested by DRI.
The incident came to light on June 13, when a crew member from Air India flight AI-116, arriving from New York, was suspected of illegally bringing restricted items into the country. The accused, identified as Girish Pimple, was intercepted at the airport’s exit gate by DRI officials after he passed through the green channel without declaring any goods.
Upon searching him, officers recovered a valet parking slip containing handwritten notes that detailed the weight, purchase cost, and profit calculation for 1,373.2 grams of gold. Another sticky note with similar notations was also seized. During interrogation, Pimple admitted that he was part of a gold smuggling operation and had hidden the gold pouches behind a sofa in the Baggage Services area of the international arrivals hall to avoid detection.
