32-year-old Sanjay Kumar Gupta, a resident of Karol Bagh, was intercepted when he arrived at the airport from Dubai on Friday night and his bags were scanned.
"On detailed examination of his bags, assorted branded saffron weighing 125 kgs were recovered. The total value of the saffron is assessed to be Rs 3.12 crore," said Rajeev Tandon, Commissioner of Customs.
According to customs official, it is a largest catch of saffron so far from the IGI.
The saffron has been seized and the passenger was arrested for allegedly trying to smuggle in saffron in a commercial quantity and without paying import duty.
Further investigation into the case is continuing, Tandon said.