In a dramatic turn of events at Mumbai Airport, a 40-year-old Kenyan woman found herself in custody, apprehended by the Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) for her audacious attempt to smuggle gold with an astounding value of Ksh29 million.
The identity of this woman remains undisclosed, but her story unfolds as she was caught red-handed with a concealed cache of gold bars ingeniously hidden within her innerwear.
The gripping arrest unfolded when the woman was singled out for closer scrutiny by the airport’s profiling procedures. AIU officers meticulously conducted a thorough search, revealing a startling discovery of 17 pieces of 22-carat gold bars that had been melted down and cleverly concealed within her undergarments.
Further investigation unveiled even more concealed treasures in the form of jewelry crafted from 21-carat gold, secreted within her body.
Without delay, the Kenyan woman, believed to be a resident of Captain Mungai Street in Nairobi, was taken into custody and placed under 14-day judicial detention.
What adds to the intrigue is the fact that she held a valid passport issued by the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, set to expire in 2032.
Indian authorities are raising questions about her departure from Nairobi on September 30, heightening suspicions that she may be connected to a larger smuggling network.
AIU officers express their concerns, suggesting that she could be implicated in multiple smuggling cases, indicating involvement in a series of illicit activities.
This incident casts a spotlight on the growing issue of smuggling cases originating from Kenya. The prevalence of contraband, including narcotics, being smuggled through Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA), has raised alarms among both Kenyan and Indian authorities. In a troubling revelation, reports have surfaced indicating that over Ksh1.2 billion worth of illicit goods were seized in 2023, all destined for the lucrative Indian black market.
