By Priya Desai, Investigative Journalist with 10 Years at The Economic Times ( Profile )
Date: June 17, 2025
Key Takeaways
- Who? Air India crew member Girish Pimple and alleged syndicate “mastermind.”
- What? Smuggling of 1,373 g of gold bars valued at ₹1.41 crore.
- Where? Seized at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA).
- When? Intercepted on June 14 after flight AI‑116 arrived from New York.
- How? Gold bars wrapped in black duct tape, concealed near baggage area.
Incident Overview
According to the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), the Mumbai unit acted on specific intelligence targeting an international gold-smuggling syndicate involving airline crew members. On June 14, officers intercepted Air India flight AI‑116 from New York. A search yielded a hidden pouch near a sofa in the baggage services area containing 1,373 g of foreign-origin gold bars worth ₹1.41 crore mid-day.com.
During interrogation, crew member Girish Pimple admitted that the gold belonged to jeweller Rakesh Rathod of Dadar, who had paid him USD 15,000 for the procurement and promised an additional ₹2 lakh on delivery timesofindia.indiatimes.com. Rathod, previously arrested in 2020 for a similar offense, is now in custody as the alleged syndicate head.
Expert Analysis
Global Context:
“Illicit trade in precious metals remains a top concern for customs agencies worldwide,” notes the World Customs Organization’s Illicit Trade Report 2023, which highlights gold as a frequent target of concealment tactics wcoomd.org.
India-Specific Trends:
A recent Smuggling in India Report 2023–24 by the DRI reveals that 1,319 kg of gold were seized in the past fiscal year, with 36% intercepted via air routes and 55% via land borders currentaffairs.khanglobalstudies.com. Hindustan Times further reports that “India has become a major destination for illicit gold imports, with metals predominantly originating from West Asia, including the UAE and Saudi Arabia” hindustantimes.com.
What Happens Next?
- Legal Proceedings: Pimple and Rathod have been booked under the Customs Act. Next hearing is scheduled for June 20, with potential remand extension.
- DRI Investigation: Authorities are tracing financial transactions and passenger manifests to identify other crew or passengers involved.
- Air India Response: The airline has suspended the accused crew member pending inquiry, citing zero tolerance for illegal activities.
Fact‑Check
| Claim | Verified? | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Crew member smuggled gold in luggage compartment | False | No gold found in personal luggage timesofindia.indiatimes.com |
| Gold bars were hidden in shoes | False | Concealed near baggage area mid-day.com |
| Syndicate includes airport security personnel | Unverified | No public evidence yet; DRI continues probe |
Daily Digest
Stay tuned for updated coverage on:
- June 18: DRI’s second raid at CSMIA.
- June 20: First court hearing and bail arguments.
- June 22: Official DRI statement on further arrests.
