DRI seizes over 27 kg smuggled gold, arrests 12 in nationwide operations
New Delhi, July 25 (TNT): The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has seized more than 27 kg of foreign-origin smuggled gold and arrested 12 persons in a series of intelligence-based operations conducted across the country, exposing sophisticated methods adopted by organised gold smuggling syndicates.
The DRI said the operations uncovered concealment techniques including hiding gold inside aircraft lavatories, specially fabricated cavities in vehicles and utensils, and body concealment.
In a major operation at Mumbai during July 23-24, DRI officers intercepted three passengers arriving from Addis Ababa and recovered six foreign-origin gold bars weighing about 12 kg concealed inside the ceiling panels of the rear lavatory of an aircraft.
Investigation revealed that the passengers had concealed the gold for subsequent retrieval by airport staff. The gold was seized and all three passengers were arrested.
In another operation on July 23, DRI officers intercepted a woman passenger travelling on the Brahmaputra Mail in Uttar Pradesh and recovered 42 foreign-origin gold bars weighing about 5 kg concealed in a waist belt and handbag. During interrogation, she admitted that the gold had been smuggled into India through Bangladesh. The gold was seized and she was arrested.
In a separate intelligence-led operation at Mumbai Airport during July 22-23, DRI unearthed a syndicate using aircraft lavatories to conceal gold dust in wax form for retrieval by compromised aircraft cleaning staff.
The operation resulted in the seizure of 3.7 kg of gold dust in wax form and the arrest of five persons, including the carrier, cleaning staff, handler and recipient.
Earlier, during July 19-20, DRI officers intercepted a passenger at Kolkata Railway Station and recovered 4.6 kg of foreign-origin gold concealed inside specially fabricated utensils.
Investigation revealed that the contraband had been smuggled into India through Myanmar. The passenger was arrested.
In two other operations during the week, DRI officers seized around 2 kg of foreign-origin gold at Cochin and Guwahati.
At Cochin Airport, gold concealed inside the body of a passenger arriving from Dubai was recovered, while at Guwahati, gold biscuits concealed in a specially fabricated cavity in a car were seized. Two persons were arrested in the operations.
The DRI said the seizures reflect its sustained efforts to dismantle organised gold smuggling networks and curb cross-border smuggling activities.
TNT KS
