Mumbai: Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) seized 3.5 kg of gold dust worth Rs 5.5 crore and arrested four persons, including two staffers at the airport and two transit passengers, for allegedly being part of an international gold smuggling syndicate operating through Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA).DRI had received intelligence that Zafar Shaikh Hassan (21), a customer service executive with Air India Airport Services Ltd, was involved in smuggling gold out of the airport. Shaikh was intercepted after leaving the airport and allegedly handed over three egg-shaped capsules concealed in a sock. During questioning, he allegedly told investigators that the gold had been handed to him by fellow airport employee Kajal Jaiswal (25), who was also intercepted.The investigation subsequently led DRI officials to two transit passengers; Mohamed Zahid Shaikh (50), travelling from Dubai to Bangkok via Mumbai, allegedly handed over two gold-filled capsules to Zafar Shaikh near the prayer room at Gate 84. Another passenger, Inamul Mohammad Yasin Islam (45), travelling from Muscat to Bangkok via Mumbai, allegedly handed over three similar capsules in the transit area. The accused have been booked under relevant provisions of Section 135 of the Customs Act, 1962.DRI said both passengers admitted during their statements under Section 108 of the Customs Act that they were working for a gold smuggling syndicate.
