DRI Busts Gold Smuggling Networks, Seizes Over 42 Kg Gold Worth ₹65 Crore

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has intensified its nationwide crackdown on organised gold smuggling, seizing more than 42 kg of foreign-origin gold and around 10 kg of silver valued at over ₹65 crore in multiple intelligence-led operations. A total of 25 people, including five foreign nationals, have been arrested, the government said.

The operations were conducted across Mumbai, Kolkata, Kerala, West Bengal, Assam and Tamil Nadu, exposing several methods used by smuggling networks to move precious metals into India. These included concealment in specially fabricated vehicle cavities, body concealment, transit passengers, airport personnel and land and coastal routes.

At Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, DRI officials on August 28-29 uncovered a syndicate allegedly using foreign nationals travelling through Mumbai from Dubai, Bangkok and Male. Six people, including five foreign nationals and an airport staff member, were arrested after 6.85 kg of 24-carat gold dust in wax form was recovered from 16 capsules.

In Kolkata, two passengers arriving from Dubai were intercepted with 4.87 kg of gold concealed in their undergarments and jeans. In another case involving a Bangkok flight, 3.36 kg of foreign-origin gold in the form of 11 raw chains was seized from a passenger allegedly carrying the gold for another person.

In Nadia district, West Bengal, DRI and Border Security Force personnel seized 15.61 kg of foreign-origin gold bars from a woman during a search of her residence.

Two separate operations in Kerala led to the seizure of 1.78 kg and 549 grams of gold from passengers arriving from Ras Al Khaimah and Jeddah.

Elsewhere, DRI teams seized gold along the Indo-Bangladesh border and in Guwahati. In Ramanathapuram, Tamil Nadu, officials recovered 1.36 kg of gold and 9.99 kg of silver, allegedly smuggled through the coastal route from Sri Lanka, and arrested three people.

The DRI said its coordinated operations are aimed at disrupting smuggling networks at multiple stages and preventing the illegal movement of precious metals into the country.