Mumbai airport customs officials seized over a kilogram of gold worth Sh5 million in an operation, said an official on Monday.
The seizure took place on May 19 and May 20, added the official.
As per the official, the seizure included a Kenyan Airways Crew carrying around one kilo of gold.
“Mumbai Airport Customs on 19-20 May seized over 2.95 Kg Gold valued at Rs.1.58 Crore in 3 different cases. This includes a Kenyan Airways Crew carrying around 1 Kg of gold,” said the Mumbai customs in a tweet.
This is the latest such incident to happen.
Nine Kenyan women are in Indian custody after they were arrested at the Mumbai Airport for attempting to smuggle Sh156.4 million worth of gold last month.
Officials said the incident captured by CCTV showed the nine engaging in a fracas with the airport guards in an attempt to shift attention from their illegal business on Wednesday.
The incident happened days after 19 Sudanese women were held for carrying 18 kilograms of gold worth a similar amount.
According to airport security, the women refused to be searched and caused a scene at the airport while others tried to run.
The Kenyan embassy in India has since been informed and officials are following up on the matter.
The women reportedly hid the 18.28 kilogram of gold worth Sh156,426,564 (Rs 9.4 crore) in a fake designer bag.
The practice is common in India even though it is deemed illegal.
In February this year, two crew members of Kenya Airways flights that landed at Mumbai Airport were arrested over similar claims.
The crew had originated in Nairobi in two separate flights and were found with the concealed gold.
It is a criminal offense to carry concealed gold in India. Indian authorities have alerted their Kenyan counterparts over the discovery and arrests.
Officials in Nairobi are now investigating how the gold left JKIA and those who may have facilitated the same.
The airline confirmed the incident adding it does not condone breaking of laws.
There are calls for thorough screening of all luggage departing the airport.
These will include even chattered flights.
Meanwhile, diplomatic efforts are ongoing to have the crew released and action taken locally.
The weight and value of the gold were not immediately established.
According to Indian law, it is a criminal offense to carry concealed gold.
The offenses and penal provisions state “that persons involved in smuggling and other modus operandi of imports and exports, in violation of prohibitions/ restrictions in vogue or with intent to evade duties or fraudulently claim export incentives are liable to serious penal action under the Customs Act.”
The offending goods can be confiscated and heavy fines and penalties imposed.
There are also provisions for arrests and prosecution to deter them from smuggling and commercial frauds, which seriously affect the economy and even society at large regarding sensitive goods like drugs, arms, and ammunition.
This applies to the provisions in the law for seizure, confiscation of goods, and imposition of penalties by adjudication.
