In a dramatic takedown at Mumbai’s bustling international airport, customs authorities thwarted a bold smuggling operation involving ancient coins of gold and silver. The incident unfolded on February 10, 2026, targeting a passenger deplaning Virgin Atlantic’s VS-354 from London.
Customs Zone-Third officers, ever watchful during peak hours, zeroed in on the individual whose evasive responses raised red flags. What they discovered was breathtaking: a gold mohur weighing 12.37 grams, issued by the East India Company’s Bengal Presidency at Murshidabad mint, emblazoned with Shah Alam II’s details from AH 1202/RY 19.
The contraband also included a Kushan gold dinar of 8 grams from King Huvishka’s time, a relic of imperial grandeur. Complementing it was Jahangir’s 11.44-gram silver rupee, marked with the Ahmedabad mint and Cancer constellation symbol, evoking the opulence of the Mughal court.
Experts confirm these items are not mere collectibles but protected antiquities under Indian law. Smuggling them without declaration breaches customs protocols and the Antiquities Act, exposing the passenger to hefty fines and prosecution.
Authorities have launched a full probe, interrogating the suspect on the coins’ provenance and potential buyers. This seizure highlights the sophisticated tactics smugglers employ and the sharper countermeasures by Mumbai Customs.
Travelers beware: India’s borders are fortified against cultural plunder. As the investigation deepens, expect revelations about international smuggling rings exploiting aviation routes.