DRI Seizes Diamonds Worth Over Rs 5.7 Crore at Mumbai Airport
Major Smuggling Attempt Foiled
Photo: IANS
Mumbai, May 14: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) in Mumbai has successfully intercepted a significant smuggling attempt, seizing diamonds valued at over Rs 5.7 crore at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. Two individuals have been arrested in connection with this case, accused of trying to transport the gems to Bangkok.
Based on specific intelligence, DRI officials apprehended the suspects at the airport. Upon investigation, both admitted to hiding two capsules within their bodies.
After they purged the capsules, authorities recovered a total of 1,624 carats of diamonds, which included both natural and lab-grown varieties. The estimated worth of the confiscated diamonds stands at around Rs 5.70 crore.
Officials indicated that the diamonds were intentionally concealed for illegal export purposes.
The diamonds were seized under the Customs Act of 1962, and both suspects have been taken into custody.
The DRI is currently conducting further investigations to dismantle the smuggling network, which is believed to have connections to international money laundering operations.
In a related incident on April 20, the DRI arrested an importer involved in smuggling ‘Watermelon Seeds’ and ‘Green Peas’ worth Rs 139 crore from Tanzania, Sudan, and Canada.
This illegal shipment was intercepted at Nhava Sheva Port, leading to the arrest of the proprietor of the importing firm, who is considered a key figure in this organized smuggling operation.
Acting on specific intelligence, officers seized 132 containers misdeclared as ‘Toor Dal/Pigeon Peas’, containing approximately 3,029 metric tonnes of goods. The total value of these consignments is estimated at around Rs 139 crore.
Upon detailed examination, it was discovered that the shipment included 2,710 MT of watermelon seeds from Tanzania and Sudan, and 319 MT of green peas from Canada, rather than the declared goods.
The government has implemented strict import restrictions on these items to protect local farmers from low-cost imports.
As of June 2024, the import of melon seeds has been prohibited (as per DGFT Notification No. 05/2023 dated April 5, 2024), while green peas imports are regulated under DGFT Notification No. 37/2015–20 dated December 18, 2019, which mandates a Minimum Import Price (Rs 200/kg CIF) and restricts imports to Kolkata port only.
The DRI is intensifying its intelligence-driven operations against the smuggling of restricted and prohibited goods, reaffirming its commitment to safeguarding the nation's economic interests and ensuring fair competition for domestic producers.