Mumbai Customs Zone-III officials at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport executed three significant seizures on 5 July 2025 involving narcotics, exotic wildlife and gold smuggling, collectively valued at more than Rs 1.15 billion. Four individuals were arrested under provisions of the NDPS Act, Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and the Customs Act, 1962.
In the first case, acting on specific intelligence, Customs officers intercepted an Indian passenger arriving from Bangkok and recovered 9.662 kilograms of hydroponic marijuana concealed in the checked-in baggage. The contraband has an illicit market value of Rs 966.2 million. The seized substance, commonly referred to as ‘ganja’, was found hidden inside a trolley bag. The passenger was arrested and the narcotics confiscated under the NDPS Act, 1985.
In the second case, based on profiling techniques, Customs officers intercepted another passenger arriving from Bangkok and recovered a range of live and dead exotic animals from the passenger’s baggage. The seizure included one live and three dead raccoons (Procyon lotor), three dead black fox squirrels (Sciurus niger), and 29 live and eight dead green iguanas (Iguana spp.). Since none of the species are native to India and to preserve their survival chances, they were handed over to airline staff for deportation to their country of origin. Proceedings under the Wildlife Protection Act and Customs Act have been initiated, and the passenger was arrested.
In the third case, officers intercepted two passengers arriving from Dubai and seized 1.65 kilograms of 24-karat gold valued at Rs 149 million. The gold was concealed in wax form and solid pieces hidden inside the body cavities and clothing pockets of the individuals. Both passengers were arrested under the Customs Act, 1962.
Mumbai Customs reiterated its commitment to safeguarding national borders against smuggling of narcotics, wildlife and precious commodities. Legal proceedings are underway in all three cases.
