India, Sept. 27 -- The Mumbai zonal unit of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has arrested three Indian passengers after seizing 9.4 kg of foreign-origin gold worth around Rs.14.81 crore from their luggage at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA).

The seizure has exposed an unusual method of smuggling, in which the gold was reduced to powder and mixed with commonly available food products to avoid detection, according to officials aware of the developments.

The three passengers, who had arrived from Dubai, were stopped early Wednesday based on intelligence about the smuggling attempt. DRI officials, assisted by the Air Intelligence Unit (AIU) of Mumbai Customs, searched their luggage and found around 33.5...