At least 14 Kenyan nationals are among 18 individuals currently being held in India after authorities arrested them at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. The group was allegedly attempting to smuggle gold and diamonds into the country.
According to reports, the arrests took place on Tuesday and Wednesday this week, following an operation by Indian Customs officers.
The individuals were found in possession of processed gold and diamonds, which they had reportedly concealed to avoid detection.
Customs officers revealed that the operation began on Tuesday, February 11, when security personnel from the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) flagged a suspicious item during a routine security check. One passenger, who was preparing to board a flight to Bangkok, Thailand, was stopped after security scanners detected unusual objects hidden inside their laptop.
Following further checks, the passenger was taken into custody and handed over to the Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) at the airport for interrogation.
Upon conducting a thorough search, officials allegedly discovered diamonds weighing 2,147.20 carats, valued at approximately Ksh73 million. The suspect was then charged with violating India’s Customs Act.
In response to this incident, airport authorities intensified security screening procedures, leading to the arrest of 14 Kenyans who had arrived in Mumbai from Nairobi.
During their interrogation on Wednesday, February 12, customs officers recovered 22-carat melted gold bars and various gold jewellery pieces weighing a total of 2,741 grams. The seized gold was estimated to be worth Ksh27.5 million.
Investigators stated that the suspects had attempted to smuggle the gold by concealing it in their undergarments and inside the pockets of their clothing.
Additionally, authorities discovered unclaimed gold bars weighing 2,406 grams, valued at Ksh24 million, abandoned on the airport floor.
On the same day, customs officers also arrested three passengers who had arrived from Dubai. The trio was found with 24-carat crude gold items, including rhodium-plated rings and buttons, weighing a total of 775 grams.
The smuggled gold, estimated to be worth Ksh9 million, had been carefully hidden inside belt buckles and the linings of their trolley bags to evade detection.
This latest case highlights the growing trend of gold smuggling into India, with an increasing number of foreign nationals, including Kenyans, allegedly getting involved.
As a result, Indian authorities have intensified security checks and introduced stricter measures to curb the illegal trade of precious metals and gemstones.
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