Air India Crew Member Held For Smuggling Gold Worth Rs 1.41 Cr From US
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After investigation, a pouch containing grams of foreign-origin gold was recovered by the DRI officials. The mastermind of the smuggling has also been arrested.
Acting on specific intelligence regarding a gold smuggling network involving airline crew, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Mumbai, intercepted a male crew member from Air India flight AI-116, arriving from New York on 13 June.
While the initial search yielded nothing, subsequent interrogation revealed that the crew member had concealed a pouch containing foreign-origin gold bars, wrapped in black duct tape, near the baggage services area during the post-flight breathalyser test.
Following this disclosure, DRI officers recovered the pouch, which contained 1,373 grams of foreign-origin gold. During further questioning, the crew member admitted to smuggling gold on previous occasions.
DRI Mumbai arrested an Air India crew member from flight AI-116 for smuggling 1.373 kg of foreign-origin gold, valued at ₹1.41 crore. The gold was concealed near the baggage area post-flight. The syndicate's mastermind, using crew for smuggling, was also nabbed. Both confessed… pic.twitter.com/AoMpOeiGKN — IANS (@ians_india) June 14, 2025
The investigation subsequently led to the arrest of the alleged mastermind behind the racket, a handler who had been recruiting airline staff for gold smuggling. The accused confessed to orchestrating multiple smuggling operations.
The seized gold, valued at Rs 1.41 crore, has been confiscated under the provisions of the Customs Act and both the crew member and the handler have been remanded in custody. Further investigation is ongoing.
In a similar incident in December 2024, an Air India cabin crew member was arrested for assisting a passenger in smuggling 1.7 kg of 24-carat gold at Chennai airport. The crew member reportedly handled the passenger's gold during the flight.
In May 2024, an Air India air hostess, Surabhi Khatun, was arrested at Kannur Airport in Kerala for allegedly smuggling approximately 960 grams of gold concealed in her rectum.
First Published:
June 14, 2025, 19:41 IST
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