Directorate of Revenue Intelligence busts pan-India gold smuggling ring

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has dismantled a pan-India gold smuggling network, seizing approximately 6.6 kg of foreign-origin gold valued at over Rs 10 crore. The enforcement action resulted in the arrest of 11 individuals, including a primary mastermind responsible for coordinating logistics.

The operation was launched following intelligence regarding the continuous smuggling of gold through the Indo-Bangladesh border via West Bengal and Assam. To intercept the syndicate, the DRI conducted simultaneous multi-city raids on September 23 and 24 across Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, and Guwahati.

Investigators found that the syndicate utilized a specific modus operandi: dividing large quantities of smuggled gold into smaller packages to be sent through conventional domestic courier channels. This method was intended to avoid suspicion while moving consignments from Guwahati and Kolkata to recipients in major commercial hubs like Mumbai, Delhi, and Ahmedabad for rapid disposal in domestic markets.