Mumbai: In a major crackdown on international smuggling, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Mumbai, in two separate cases arrested seven persons for attempting to smuggle mobile phones, electronic goods and 4 kg of gold worth Rs 5.50 crore into India through Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA).DRI officials intercepted the six passengers — Suleman Shaikh, Sirajuddin Patel, Paras Palekar, Shafi Shaikh, Faraz Shaikh, and Aman Talwani — who arrived from Sharjah on an Air Arabia flight. The suspects were apprehended near the airport’s exit after crossing the green channel.A detailed search led to the recovery of 112 iPhones, 102 refurbished laptops, 6 Google Pixel phones, 216 cosmetic items, and 94.9 kg of tobacco, all concealed in their baggage and on their persons. The total value of the goods seized was Rs 1.48 crore. DRI believes the arrested individuals are part of a larger international smuggling syndicate.All six accused were remanded to 14 days of judicial custody. Advocate Ravi Hirani told the court that his clients were wrongly booked as most of these mobile phones are second-hand. Advocate Prabhakar Tripathi, Sudesh Pandey, and Rajendra Tripathi represented the six accused. The DRI arrested Abakar Ali Mahamat, a national of the Republic of Chad for smuggling 4 kg of gold worth Rs 4 crore hidden the gold bars in his sandals.