The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has arrested a woman employed at an eatery in Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport after recovering 3 kg of gold bars worth approximately Rs 5 crore concealed in her socks on Tuesday.
Background on Gold Import Duty Hike
Recently, the Centre increased the import duty on gold to 15%, comprising a basic customs duty of 10% and an agriculture infrastructure and development cess of 5%. As a result, the price of gold has shot up, leading to fears of increased smuggling activity.
Details of the Arrest
The woman, identified by officials as Shaheen Shaikh, worked at an eatery in the airport’s departure area. DRI officers said they had received intelligence inputs indicating an active gold smuggling syndicate using insider assistance at the airport.
Shaikh admitted that she had received the contraband from an unidentified transit passenger and was to hand it over to a recipient carrying a token as verification. She is believed to have told investigators that she had been promised monetary consideration for facilitating the handover.
Officials added that they suspect this may not have been the first instance of her involvement. DRI is investigating to identify the courier who passed the gold to Shaikh and to trace the intended recipient.
Broader Context of Gold Smuggling
Gold smuggling has been a persistent issue in India, with smugglers often using creative methods to evade detection. The recent hike in import duty has made gold more expensive, increasing the incentive for illegal activities. Authorities have stepped up surveillance at airports and other entry points to curb such practices.
The DRI continues its investigation, and further arrests are expected as the network behind this operation is uncovered.
