The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) in Mumbai confiscated diamonds valued at over Rs 5.7 crore at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport and apprehended two individuals for an alleged smuggling attempt to Bangkok.
Upon receiving specific intelligence, the suspects were intercepted at the airport, where they confessed to concealing two capsules each inside their bodies. Subsequently, after expelling the capsules, authorities recovered 1,624 carats of diamonds, comprising both natural and lab-grown stones, with an estimated total worth of approximately Rs 5.70 crore.
The seized diamonds, hidden for illicit export purposes, were taken under the Customs Act, 1962, and the two accused were taken into custody. The DRI is conducting further investigations to dismantle the suspected smuggling syndicate, which is believed to have ties to international money laundering activities.
In a previous incident on April 20, the DRI had arrested an importer for smuggling ‘Watermelon Seeds’ and ‘Green Peas’ worth Rs 139 crore from Tanzania, Sudan, and Canada. The illicit consignment was seized at Nhava Sheva Port, and the proprietor of the importing company, a key figure in the organized smuggling, was arrested.
Acting on intelligence, officers intercepted 132 containers containing around 3,029 metric tonnes of goods mis-declared as ‘Toor Dal/Pigeon Peas,’ with a value of approximately Rs 139 crore. Detailed inspection revealed misdeclaration, with the recovery of watermelon seeds from Tanzania and Sudan, and green peas from Canada, instead of the declared goods.
