Archive · 19 Jul 2026
Mumbai Gold Smuggling Racket Has Global Links
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) in Mumbai has arrested six people for smuggling gold.
These people include three from the Philippines and three from India.
The DRI says this group was part of a bigger network that operates in many countries.
They used transit passengers to bring gold from places like Dubai and Bangkok to Mumbai.
The arrested people say they were following orders from one person who runs the smuggling operation.
The DRI is still investigating to find more people involved in this illegal activity.
The DRI arrested six individuals, including three Philippines nationals, for their involvement in a gold smuggling syndicate.
The syndicate operates internationally, using transit passengers to smuggle gold from Dubai and Bangkok to Mumbai.
Feroz Sayyed collected gold from transit passengers and passed it to Himanshu Upadhyay, who then handed it to Mohid Hasan Siddiqui for delivery outside the airport.
The arrested individuals claimed they were following instructions from a single individual running the syndicate.
The DRI is gathering additional evidence to identify and apprehend other key members of the syndicate.
- Who
- Six individuals, including three Philippines nationals and three Indian nationals, were arrested.
- What
- A gold smuggling syndicate with global links was busted.
- When
- The arrests were made on Thursday.
- Where
- The operations were centered around Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport in Mumbai.
- Why
- The syndicate was involved in smuggling gold through transit passengers from Dubai and Bangkok to Mumbai.
Law Enforcement Perspective
Suspects' Allegations
Operation and Control
Law Enforcement Perspective
The DRI claims the syndicate operates internationally with the involvement of foreign nationals and airport staff.
Suspects' Allegations
The arrested individuals claim they were following instructions from a single individual running the syndicate.
- Arrested Individuals
- Himanshu Upadhyay, Mohid Hasan Siddiqui, Feroz Sayyed, Lakim Alimudin Nasser, Benny Lloyd Olivo, Christine Joy Andaya Pornasdoro
- Countries Involved
- India, Philippines, Dubai, Bangkok
- Airport Involved
- Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMI)
- Nature of Crime
- Gold smuggling through transit passengers
- Investigation Status
- Ongoing, with efforts to apprehend other members