Mumbai’s customs officials scored a major win against smuggling on February 10, 2026, when they intercepted a foreign passenger arriving from London on Virgin Atlantic flight VS-354. The alert team from Mumbai Airport Commissionerate, Customs Zone-Third, uncovered a stash of priceless historical coins hidden on the traveler.
During routine duty checks, officers grew suspicious of the passenger’s behavior. A thorough search revealed three extraordinary artifacts: a 12.37-gram gold mohur from the East India Company’s Bengal Presidency, minted in Murshidabad bearing Shah Alam II’s name with the inscription AH 1202/RY 19. This piece alone is a treasure from colonial India.
Adding to the haul was an 8.00-gram gold dinar from the ancient Kushan Empire, linked to King Huvishka’s era, showcasing numismatic history from over 1,800 years ago. The third item, an 11.44-gram silver rupee from Mughal Emperor Jahangir’s reign, featured a Cancer zodiac symbol and the Ahmedabad mint mark, further enriching this illicit cargo.
These coins hold immense historical and archaeological value, making their undeclared import a clear violation of Indian customs regulations and antiquity laws. The passenger’s attempt to sneak them past authorities failed spectacularly, thanks to the vigilance of the customs squad.
Investigations are now underway, with the traveler under intense questioning to trace the coins’ origins and uncover the smuggling network. This bust underscores Mumbai Customs’ unwavering commitment to protecting India’s cultural heritage from black market traffickers.
For international travelers, this serves as a stark reminder: declaring valuable antiquities is mandatory. Failure to do so invites severe penalties. The case remains active, with legal proceedings to follow as more details emerge.