Mumbai Airport Seizes Gold Worth ₹2.89 Crore Hidden in Meat Grinder Shipped from Riyadh

Mumbai: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) at Mumbai Airport intercepted a sophisticated gold smuggling attempt when a courier parcel arriving from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, was found to contain 1.815 kilograms of gold valued at approximately ₹2.89 crore. The gold was ingeniously concealed inside a meat grinder.

How the Smuggling Attempt Was Uncovered

The courier parcel initially appeared ordinary, with documentation listing it as a meat grinder. However, DRI officials, suspecting irregularities, conducted a detailed inspection. Upon opening the appliance, they discovered 32 small pieces of gold hidden within the grinder’s gears, demonstrating a highly sophisticated method of smuggling. Both the gold and the meat grinder used for concealment were seized under the Customs Act, 1962.

Arrests and Investigation

Following the seizure, DRI officials arrested two individuals: one intended to collect the courier, and another who had facilitated the shipment clearance using fake or third-party KYC documents. Preliminary investigations indicate that the case may be linked to a larger organized international smuggling network.

Authorities noted that smugglers are increasingly adopting innovative methods to bypass security, including hiding gold within everyday household appliances. The DRI reaffirmed its commitment to curbing smuggling operations, dismantling international networks, and safeguarding India’s economic interests.

Recent Trends in Gold Smuggling

Earlier this month, the DRI had conducted simultaneous operations in Delhi and Agartala, uncovering an international gold smuggling network operating from Dubai and Bangladesh. During these raids:

• 29.2 kg of foreign-origin gold and ₹2.9 crore in cash were seized.
• A key gang member was arrested in Agartala on January 6, 2026, while receiving shipments from a domestic logistics warehouse, revealing 15 kg of gold from international refineries valued at ₹20.73 crore.
• Additional 14.2 kg of foreign-origin gold and cash in Indian and Bangladeshi currency were recovered from multiple locations.
• Four members of the smuggling gang were taken into custody.

This incident highlights the persistent and evolving challenge of gold smuggling and underscores the DRI’s vigilance in protecting national revenue and security.