MUMBAI — Customs officials at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport seized multiple consignments of gold and undeclared foreign goods from passengers arriving primarily from Bangkok over a 10-day period, authorities said Wednesday. The seizures, made between November 17 and November 27 at Terminal 2, were part of heightened monitoring aimed at curbing smuggling attempts on high-risk routes.

Officials say the interceptions involved passengers attempting to bring in gold bars, gold jewelry, electronic items and other dutiable goods concealed in personal baggage or on their bodies. The cumulative value of the seized items is still being assessed, but preliminary figures suggest the total amount runs into several crores of rupees.

The operation marks yet another instance of increased smuggling activity on the Bangkok–Mumbai corridor, a route that customs officials classify as “sensitive” due to recurring violations.

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Passengers From Bangkok Under Increased Scrutiny

Customs investigators say most of the cases involved passengers traveling on budget carriers and short-stay itineraries, patterns that often alert officers to potential violations. According to officials, several individuals attempted to conceal gold in clothing seams, electronic devices, and even food packets.

One senior officer said enhanced profiling and surveillance triggered the interceptions. “We have been monitoring inbound flights from Bangkok very closely,” the officer said. “The pattern of movement and concealment techniques used pointed to coordinated smuggling attempts.”

Customs teams at Terminal 2 used baggage scanning, passenger profiling and targeted questioning to identify suspicious travelers. Several passengers were intercepted at the green channel after officers noticed inconsistencies in declarations or unusual behavior.

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Seizure Details Reveal Variety of Concealment Methods

While authorities have not disclosed every case in detail, officials say the 10-day span included multiple categories of contraband:

• Gold bars and cut pieces hidden inside trousers, jackets, handbags and electronic equipment.

• Foreign-made iPhones, smartwatches and accessories brought in without declaration to evade duty.

• Luxury cosmetics and designer items exceeding permissible limits.

• Gold jewelry disguised as personal ornaments but exceeding allowed thresholds.

Officers say the concealment methods indicate a mix of amateur solo attempts and more organized smuggling operations using human couriers.

Some passengers were detained for questioning, and cases are being processed under the Customs Act. Officials say legal action, including penalties and possible arrests, will follow depending on the scale of violations.

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Why Bangkok Remains a High-Risk Route

A senior customs official said the Bangkok–India route remains one of the busiest corridors for gold smuggling due to price differentials. Gold prices in Thailand often remain lower than in India, incentivizing smuggling networks.

“Bangkok is a known hub due to easy availability of gold and frequent short-haul flights,” the official said. “Couriers are often lured by the promise of quick money.”

Authorities also cite the following reasons:

• High passenger volume with large tourist inflow and short turnaround times.

• Use of multiple carriers making route surveillance more complex.

• Well-established smuggling rings operating between Southeast Asia and western India.

Sources within the enforcement ecosystem say that during festival and wedding seasons, smuggling activity typically spikes due to increased demand for gold in India.

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Legal Framework and Penalties

Under Indian customs regulations, passengers must declare gold exceeding the permissible limit—typically 20 grams for women and 10 grams for men traveling after prolonged stays abroad, subject to duty payment. Smuggling gold to evade duty is an offense under the Customs Act, which permits confiscation, penalties and prosecution.

Officials say that in many of the November cases, passengers either provided incomplete declarations or attempted to bypass the red channel entirely. The seized goods have been catalogued, valued and held pending adjudication.

Legal experts note that repeat offenders can face harsher penalties, including arrest and prosecution in economic offenses courts.

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Past Trends and Context

Mumbai airport has recorded a steady rise in gold smuggling cases over the past several years, according to customs data. In 2023, the airport saw hundreds of cases involving gold valued at over ₹500 crore.

Experts say smuggling syndicates frequently adjust their routes and methods based on enforcement patterns. Increased monitoring on Middle Eastern routes has pushed some activity toward Southeast Asian cities like Bangkok and Kuala Lumpur.

The recent surge in interceptions mirrors similar activity during previous festive periods, when gold demand rises sharply. Despite multiple enforcement crackdowns, smuggling networks continue to attempt new concealment techniques.

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Authorities Expect More Attempted Smuggling Ahead

Customs officers warn that smuggling may increase in December due to holiday travel and year-end demand. Surveillance at Terminal 2 is expected to remain elevated, with more targeted checks on passengers arriving from known high-risk destinations.

Officials say that intelligence sharing with other agencies, both domestic and international, has been strengthened. They also emphasize the role of public awareness in discouraging individuals from becoming human couriers for smuggling networks.

“People must understand that the risk far outweighs the reward,” an official said. “Even small quantities of undeclared gold can lead to legal trouble.”

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What This Means for Travelers

Authorities reiterate that passengers carrying legitimate dutiable goods should declare them voluntarily at the red channel. Failure to declare items can result in confiscation and penalties even if the goods are intended for personal use.

Travelers are urged to review customs regulations before departure and avoid carrying packages or items handed over by strangers—a tactic often used by smuggling handlers.

Officials say they aim to maintain smooth passenger flow at Terminal 2 while ensuring compliance through targeted checks that do not inconvenience law-abiding travelers.

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Looking Ahead

The recent series of seizures underscores the ongoing challenge of smuggling at major Indian airports. Enforcement agencies say they remain committed to curbing illegal gold inflows, which have economic and security implications for the country.

While authorities continue to process the November cases, investigations are underway to determine whether any of the intercepted passengers were linked to broader smuggling networks. More arrests or follow-up actions may follow based on evidence.

For now, customs officials say vigilance remains high and additional surveillance measures will be implemented as required.