Drugs, gold & dead raccoons: Rs 11 crore smuggling bid foiled at Mumbai airport

MUMBAI: Mumbai Customs officials at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport foiled three separate smuggling attempts on Saturday, seizing narcotic substances, exotic wildlife, and gold worth over Rs 11 crore.Four persons were arrested across the cases, which were booked under various provisions of the NDPS Act, Wildlife Protection Act, and Customs Act. In the first case, acting on specific intelligence, officers from Mumbai Customs Zone-III intercepted an Indian passenger arriving from Bangkok. A thorough examination of his checked-in baggage led to the recovery of 9.662 kg of hydroponic marijuana, valued at Rs 9.662 crore in the illicit market. The narcotic substance was concealed inside the luggage, and the passenger was arrested under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985. In a separate case, based on profiling, Customs officials intercepted another passenger who had also arrived from Bangkok. Upon inspection of his baggage, officials recovered a disturbing collection of live and dead exotic animals, including one live and three dead raccoons (Procyon lotor), three dead black fox squirrels (Sciurus niger) and 29 live and eight dead green iguanas (Iguana spp.). As these species are not native to India, the animals were handed over to airline staff for deportation to their country of origin to ensure better chances of survival. Proceedings were initiated against the passenger under the Customs Act, 1962, and the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. He was placed under arrest. In the third operation, Customs officials intercepted two passengers arriving from Dubai and recovered 1.650 kg of 24KT gold, valued at Rs 1.49 crore. The gold—found in the form of dust mixed with wax and gold pieces—was concealed within body cavities and the passengers' pockets. The seizure was made under the Customs Act, 1962, and both individuals were arrested. Authorities confirmed that further investigations are underway and reiterated their commitment to curbing the smuggling of narcotics, endangered species, and valuable metals at the country’s airports.