Mumbai Airport Gold Smuggling case: Mumbai airport has become the biggest hub for gold smuggling in India, overtaking Delhi and Chennai, according to a report from the customs department. The report revealed that 604 kg of smuggled gold worth Rs 360 crore was seized at the Mumbai airport over an 11-month period, since October 2022. This is a significant increase compared to the 403 kg seized in 2019-20, before the pandemic.

The report also revealed that since October 2022, over 20 foreign nationals have been arrested for smuggling gold in Mumbai. The customs officials have stated that Mumbai is a transit hub for gold smugglers as there is a big market for the precious metal, and several syndicates, including jewellers, finance the racketeers. The other three metro cities of Delhi, Kolkata and Chennai are also preferred for the international routes, and Hyderabad has seen a slow rise in gold smuggling cases, with 124 kg seized compared to 55 kg seized last year.

Gold smuggling is a lucrative business, and the smugglers often use ingenious methods to get past the authorities. They use various tactics, such as hiding gold in the body or in electronic items, to avoid detection. The rise in gold smuggling at Mumbai airport is a cause for concern, and the authorities need to take steps to curb this illegal activity.

The customs officials have stated that they are taking strict measures to prevent gold smuggling, including increased surveillance, intelligence gathering, and deploying sniffer dogs. They have also urged the public to report any suspicious activity or information that could lead to the arrest of smugglers.

The increase in gold smuggling at Mumbai airport is a reflection of the thriving black market for gold in India. The demand for gold in India is high, as it is considered an auspicious metal and is often used for religious and cultural purposes. The high import duties on gold, coupled with the demand, have created a black market for gold, which is fueling the rise in gold smuggling.

In conclusion, the rise in gold smuggling at Mumbai airport is a cause for concern, and the authorities need to take steps to curb this illegal activity. The public also has a role to play in reporting any suspicious activity or information that could lead to the arrest of smugglers. It is important to tackle the root causes of gold smuggling, including the high import duties and the demand for gold, to prevent this illegal activity from thriving.

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