Mumbai Customs officials at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (SVPIA) seized 61 rare and expensive pens from a passenger arriving from Tokyo on April 26, 2026. The passenger, identified as a Japan-based Indian national and an alumnus of the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), was intercepted during a routine check.
The pens, including brands like Montblanc and Parker, are valued at approximately ₹1.5 crore (about $180,000). Customs officials stated that the passenger failed to declare the items, which were found concealed in his luggage. The seizure was made under the Customs Act, 1962, for attempted smuggling.
The passenger has been detained for questioning, and further investigation is underway to determine the source and intended destination of the pens. This incident highlights ongoing efforts by Indian customs to curb smuggling of high-value items through major airports.
