The the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has successfully unearthed and dismantled a highly organised gold smuggling syndicate operating through Mumbai Airport. In this operation DRI detected and busted gold melting facility that was being used for melting of foreign origin smuggled gold.
A total of nine persons involved across the entire smuggling chain, including the airport staff, her handler, three intermediaries, the melting facility operator, and three persons engaged in the melting process have been arrested. Further, about 6 kg foreign-origin smuggled gold recovered at the spot has been seized.
This case underscores the evolving sophistication of organised gold smuggling syndicates, which increasingly exploit insider access at airports and employ layered distribution networks to evade detection.In another operation at Bengaluru, DRI seized 1.8 kg 24 KT gold in paste form ingeniously concealed within the layers of garments of an international passenger. Subsequent follow up search at his residential premises led to seizure of around 1.5 kg gold jewellery, 45 kg silver, and Indian & foreign currencies. The person was arrested.
Gold in paste form concealed in undergarments; Seized at Bengaluru.
Overall, with busting of gold smuggling syndicate, these operations resulted in seizure of about 15 kg gold, 45 kg silver, valued at around Rs. 23 crore, and arrest of 15 persons.
The Mumbai operation covered several levels of the alleged chain, including airport access, intermediaries and a melting facility. The Bengaluru case involved gold paste concealed in clothing and a follow-up residential search that recovered jewellery, silver and currency.
The seizures and arrests are investigative actions, not findings of guilt. Prosecution and adjudication will determine the legal outcome, while the agency's combined figures provide the current official account: about 15 kg of gold, 45 kg of silver, assets valued at roughly Rs 23 crore and 15 arrests across the operations.
