26 Kenyans held with 29kg gold worth Rs 38cr at Mumbai airport

The intercepted passengers attempted to evade arrest or detention by discarding the gold they were carrying, said DRI officials (Image used for representational purpose only)

MUMBAI: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has arrested 26 Kenyan nationals for allegedly smuggling 29.4kg of gold worth Rs 37.7 crore from Nairobi. Acting on specific intelligence and digital profiling, DRI officials waited for the group on Wednesday at Terminal 2. Given heavy passenger traffic, officers chose to monitor the suspects near the arrival area of flight KQ 202 and planned to intercept them after they crossed the green channel.Also read: ‘Will get your mother killed’: Wife of ICICI Bank regional head, her lover arrested over plot to kill husband

Largest such haul in recent years

Around 11am, the passengers approached the green channel but noticing officials, moved away. Upon questioning, 25 passengers identified themselves, while the 26th was found to have been detained for attempting to use a fake passport. All 25 denied carrying contraband. However, a search of two led to recovery of gold bars concealed in their shoes.Also read: Delhi road rage: Child spiritual orator Abhinav Arora’s family attacked; 3 arrested“Some of them began discarding objects wrapped in black tape near the luggage belts. We recovered multiple pouches containing melted gold bars. None claimed ownership,” an official said.