A 40-year-old Kenyan woman was arrested on Sunday at Mumbai Airport, India, on allegations of smuggling 3.4 kilograms of gold worth 29 million Kenyan Shillings.
The Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) reported that the woman had concealed the gold in her underwear and was attempting to exit the airport when she was apprehended.
Customs officials discovered 17 pieces of melted gold with 22 karats hidden in her undergarments, along with various 21-karat gold pieces concealed on her person during baggage inspection.
She had departed from Nairobi on September 30th, heading to Mumbai. She is believed to be part of a larger network of gold smuggling in Mumbai, which authorities describe as a hub for gold traffickers.
In April of this year, nine Kenyan women were arrested at Mumbai Airport for attempting to smuggle gold worth 156.4 million Kenyan Shillings. Reports suggest that approximately 640 kilograms of gold, valued at 6 billion Kenyan Shillings (over 360 million USD), have been seized at the airport.
Various groups are believed to use foreign women to smuggle gold into the country. According to Indian law, carrying concealed gold is a criminal offense.
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