Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) officers have seized 15 kg smuggled gold and 20 kg silver -- cumulatively valued at ₹22 crore -- and ₹2 crore in cash in nationwide operations, the finance ministry said on Saturday. According to reports from the finance ministry, the operations resulted in the arrest of 13 people across multiple states. The seizures were conducted over a period of several days, highlighting the extensive scale of gold smuggling operations.
In an operation on July 17, DRI officers in New Delhi seized approximately 5 kg foreign-origin gold, 20 kg silver, collectively valued around ₹7.37 crore and Indian currency worth ₹2.20 crore, believed to be the sale proceeds of the smuggled goods. As reported by the finance ministry, two persons were arrested during this operation. On July 15 and 16, acting on intelligence, DRI officers intercepted an Indian passenger at IGI Airport, New Delhi, who arrived from Bagdogra and recovered around 1 kg foreign-origin gold, valued around ₹1.35 crore, ingeniously concealed inside the metallic frame rods of his luggage. The passenger was arrested during this operation.
In another operation, DRI dismantled an organised gold smuggling syndicate operating through the Mumbai airport and seized around 5 kg 24-carat gold dust in wax form, valued around ₹7.50 crore. According to the finance ministry, the gold was smuggled by three foreigners who were transiting through the Mumbai airport. The smuggled gold dust in wax form was ingeniously concealed inside their undergarments and was transferred through a network of compromised airport staff during their transit. DRI officers also intercepted three airport staff involved in facilitating the clandestine removal of smuggled gold, with all six persons arrested.
On July 15 and 16, in two separate operations in West Bengal, DRI officers intercepted 2 vehicles in Bidhannagar and Bardhaman, which were carrying foreign-origin smuggled gold. As reported by the finance ministry, the operations recovered a total of 32 foreign-origin gold biscuits weighing around 4 kg, ingeniously concealed inside specially fabricated cavities in the vehicles. The seized gold is valued around ₹6 crore, with four persons arrested during these operations.
According to the finance ministry statement, the operation once again highlighted the insider threat involving compromised airport staff in facilitating gold smuggling through airports. The comprehensive nature of these operations, spanning multiple airports and involving both foreign nationals and local facilitators, demonstrates the sophisticated nature of organized gold smuggling networks operating across India's transportation infrastructure.
