Kenyan Woman Arrested in India after Gold Worth S29 Million Found Stashed in Her Undergarments

A Kenyan woman aged 40 was taken into custody on Sunday at Mumbai airport for allegedly smuggling 3.4 kilograms of gold valued at Sh29 million.

The Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) intercepted her as she was leaving the airport, having tucked her precious gold in her undergarments. According to a customs officer cited by the Hindustan Times, the Kenyan woman in possession of a valid UK passport with an expiration date of 2032 was apprehended by the AIU as she tried to leave the Customs arrival baggage hall through the exit gate after passing through the green channel.

The woman had departed from Nairobi on September 30, en route to Mumbai. Upon inspecting her luggage, customs officials discovered 17 pieces of 22-carat melted gold bars concealed in her undergarments, as well as various 21-carat jewellery. The value of a kilo of gold differs depending on the country but may reach up to Sh8 million. According to Indian media, the woman will be detained for two weeks while police authorities investigate this unlawful element of smuggling.

Mumbai, known as the central hub for gold smugglers, recently saw the arrest of nine Kenyan women at the airport. They were caught trying to smuggle gold worth Sh156.4 million. Reports confirm that Mumbai's airport has confiscated 640 kilograms of gold valued collectively at Sh6 billion. These smuggling activities often involve the usage of foreign women hired by smuggling syndicates to secretly transport gold into the country.

Indian law strictly prohibits the transportation of concealed gold, and those involved in such activities can face severe penalties under the Customs Act. Penalties include confiscation of the smuggled goods, hefty fines, and even arrests. These measures are in place to discourage smuggling and commercial fraud, which can have detrimental effects on the economy and society, especially when it involves sensitive items like drugs, arms, and ammunition. The law also allows for the seizure, confiscation, and penalty imposition through adjudication.