DRI busts gold smuggling syndicate at Mumbai airport in Operation Dhahabu Blitz
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence seized 29.37 kg of gold worth ₹37.74 crore and arrested 24 foreign women carriers arriving from Nairobi at Mumbai airport on 8 April 2026, under Operation Dhahabu Blitz.
Summary
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) busted a gold smuggling syndicate at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai, on 8 April 2026 under Operation Dhahabu Blitz. Acting on intelligence, officers intercepted 24 foreign nationals, all women carriers arriving from Nairobi, and recovered 25.10 kg of gold bars and 4.27 kg of gold jewellery: 29.37 kg in all, valued at ₹37.74 crore. The DRI said the case revealed a highly organised syndicate using trained carriers and coordinated methods to evade detection.
Key facts
- Operation
- Dhahabu Blitz, DRI
- Date and place
- 8 April 2026, CSMI Airport, Mumbai
- Seized
- 29.37 kg gold (25.10 kg bars + 4.27 kg jewellery), ₹37.74 crore
- Arrested
- 24 foreign women carriers
- Origin
- Flights from Nairobi
Practice MCQs 2 questions
Under which operation did the DRI seize about 29.37 kg of gold from 24 women carriers at Mumbai airport in April 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: D — Operation Dhahabu Blitz
The Finance Ministry said the 24 foreign nationals were intercepted under Operation Dhahabu Blitz.
The women carriers intercepted in Operation Dhahabu Blitz at Mumbai airport had arrived from which city?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Nairobi
The DRI said the group of female carriers was arriving from Nairobi.