14 Kenyans among 18 arrested in India over alleged gold and diamond smuggling
Mumbai authorities have detained at least 14 Kenyan nationals among 18 individuals accused of attempting to smuggle gold and diamonds through Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport.
Customs officials arrested the suspects on Tuesday and Wednesday during routine security checks, uncovering processed gold and diamonds in their possession.
According to officials, the operation began on Tuesday when officers from the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) detected suspicious items hidden inside a laptop belonging to a passenger bound for Bangkok, Thailand. The passenger was promptly apprehended and handed over to the Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) for further investigation.
Upon interrogation, authorities allegedly discovered 2,147.20 carats of diamonds valued at approximately Ksh73 million in the suspect’s possession. The passenger was subsequently charged with violating India’s Customs Act.
Following this initial arrest, customs officers intensified surveillance, leading to the detention of 14 Kenyan nationals who had arrived from Nairobi. During their questioning on Wednesday, officials reportedly recovered 22-carat melted gold bars and jewelry weighing 2,741 grams, estimated to be worth Ksh 27.5 million.
Investigators allege that the Kenyan suspects had concealed the contraband in their clothing, including undergarments and pockets. Additionally, authorities recovered 22-carat melted gold bars weighing 2,406 grams, valued at Ksh24 million, which had been abandoned at the airport.
The crackdown also led to the arrest of three other passengers arriving from Dubai on the same day. The trio was allegedly caught smuggling 24-carat crude gold rhodium-plated rings and buttons, weighing 775 grams and worth Ksh9 million. Officials stated that the suspects had hidden the items inside belt buckles and within compartments of their trolley bags.
This incident underscores a rising trend of gold smuggling into India, prompting authorities to adopt stricter measures to curb illicit trade. With Kenyan nationals increasingly being linked to such activities, law enforcement agencies are on high alert to dismantle smuggling networks operating between Africa and Asia.
