Mumbai: The officers of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) arrested two persons for allegedly attempting to smuggle diamonds worth Rs 5.70 crore to Bangkok.

Those arrested have been identified as Tamil Nadu residents Imthiyas Mohamed Marsuk (28) and Saibu Alikhan Sheik (31).

According to DRI sources, specific intelligence was received that two passengers, Imthiyas Mohamed Marsuk and Saibu Alikhan Sheik, flying from Mumbai to Bangkok on Monday, would attempt to smuggle a huge quantity of diamonds out of India. They were intercepted near the departure gate.

They informed the officials that they had concealed some packages in their body. During the X-ray of the passengers, some images were seen which confirmed the concealment of some egg-shaped items in their body. After that, the passengers were asked to remove the packages from their body, which they obliged and removed one by one from their rectum.

Total four egg-shaped capsules were recovered from the passengers and, on further questioning by the officers, both passengers stated that the packages contained precious stones and diamonds.

They further informed that no declaration had been made to Customs regarding the said stones purported to be diamonds and that they were not carrying any valid documents relating to their purchase, possession, and export permission.

The said capsules were carefully cut, and 20 transparent pouches with different markings containing transparent glass-like stones purported to be diamonds were found in the said 20 pouches.

“Both the passengers claimed that the said diamonds were handed over by one unknown person in Mumbai (at the behest of the mastermind) for transportation to Bangkok in lieu of Rs 15,000 each. They admitted to being part of the same smuggling syndicate as carriers,” said a DRI source.

“In the ongoing investigation, more pieces of evidence are being gathered, and the same need to be investigated. Other key members of the syndicate are yet to be apprehended, and all-out efforts are being made in this regard. Further, sources for the purchase of the diamonds are yet to be investigated. The ongoing investigation is crucial to dismantling this international smuggling network and we are gathering additional evidence to identify and apprehend other key members of the syndicate, which could have far-reaching implications for international security and economic stability,” the officer added.

Mumbai: The Powai police have arrested two men from Pimpri-Chinchwad and Beed district for their alleged involvement in a fake hotel and resort booking scam in which a 53-year-old Powai resident was cheated of Rs 12,000 while attempting to book a resort in Karjat in January.

The police said that the accused were identified as Kunal Gaikwad (21), a college dropout from Pimpri-Chinchwad, and Datta Kedar (23), a graduate from Beed.

According to police, the duo provided their bank account and SIM card to the cyber fraud racket, which used them to carry out the scam. Gaikwad was arrested on May 5, while Kedar was arrested on March 25.

Police said the complainant, who works in the Merchant Navy, came across a fake website of Urivergate Resort while searching online for accommodation.

After contacting the number listed on the website, he was asked to pay an advance of Rs 12,000 for booking two rooms. The accused allegedly sent a Google Pay QR code through WhatsApp, and the amount was transferred to an account linked to “Kunal Confectionery.”

Investigators tracked the QR code, SIM details and bank account to trace the accused. Police said two more persons involved in the racket are absconding. Both arrested accused are in judicial custody after their bail pleas were rejected.

Mumbai: Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Commissioner Ashwini Bhide carried out an early morning surprise inspection of the Kanjurmarg solid waste management project on Wednesday to review the various measures being implemented to prevent foul smell and improve waste-processing operations at the site.

During the nearly 90-minute visit, Bhide inspected key sections of the large-scale waste management facility and took stock of the functioning of different waste treatment and environmental control systems. She also issued instructions regarding operational improvements and efficiency enhancement.

The commissioner visited the waste segregation centre, composting plant, waste-to-energy facility and the bio-reactor landfill area as part of the inspection. Civic officials briefed her on the measures currently being adopted to minimise odour affecting nearby residential areas.

According to the BMC, bio-enzyme-based liquid is being sprayed regularly on garbage to reduce foul smell. Additionally, a misting system has been installed around waste unloading and processing areas to spray aromatic solutions. Officials informed that 11 misting cannon systems are operational across the project site for odour control.

Bhide also reviewed the civic body’s helpline service launched to address complaints related to foul smell from residents living near the Kanjurmarg facility.

Spread across nearly 118 hectares, or around 292 acres, the Kanjurmarg project is one of Mumbai’s major solid waste management facilities. At present, nearly 5,200 metric tonnes of municipal solid waste are processed daily through scientifically managed bio-reactor technology, while another 1,000 metric tonnes are treated using composting methods for manure production.

Officials said methane gas generated during the waste decomposition process is partially used for electricity generation within the project. Excess methane is scientifically burnt to reduce environmental impact and prevent hazardous emissions.

As part of environmental safety measures, soil covering techniques are also being used over waste layers to minimise direct exposure to air and prevent the spread of foul smell and gases. The commissioner inspected these systems and directed officials to maintain strict monitoring of environmental safeguards.

Senior BMC officials, including Deputy Commissioner Prashant Gaikwad and Deputy Commissioner for Solid Waste Management Kiran Dighavkar, were present during the inspection. The visit comes amid ongoing concerns raised by residents in surrounding areas regarding odour and environmental issues linked to the Kanjurmarg waste processing facility.