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11 clusters · 27 sources · 80 days · First seen 3 months ago · Last updated 9 days ago

India gold smuggling crackdown expands

Overview

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has continued its intensive crackdown on gold smuggling across India. In May 2026, the DRI dismantled a major network via "Operation Golden Drop," seizing 3 kg of gold in egg-shaped capsules, and later arrested nine members of a syndicate at Mumbai airport, uncovering a gold-melting facility and seizing 15 kg of gold and 45 kg of silver across multiple cities. Smuggling methods involving aircraft infrastructure have become more prominent. In June 2026, authorities at Ahmedabad's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport recovered 2.8 kg of gold hidden inside a lavatory speaker box on an IndiGo flight from Dubai, and intercepted another 2.8 kg of gold biscuits hidden in a speaker box. At Surat, 238 g of gold was found in an abandoned gold-coated bangle on an Air India Express flight from Dubai. In July 2026, the DRI arrested six members of an international syndicate moving gold from Dubai and Bangkok to Mumbai via transit passengers; the case was transferred to the CBI. The Goa Crime Branch also seized 1.3 kg of liquid gold hidden in the clothing of two Kerala suspects arriving from Dubai. Other significant seizures include 15.76 kg of gold recovered during Mumbai's "Operation Sky Vault" and "Operation Midas Mop," as well as gold paste and swallowed capsules intercepted at Ahmedabad and Delhi airports. On 9 August 2026, the DRI seized 2.165 kg of gold from a passenger on the Gyaneshwari Express at Nagpur Railway Station, which had been concealed in newspapers. On the same day, Ahmedabad Customs officials at Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport seized 467.09 grams of gold paste concealed inside the body of a passenger arriving from Jeddah via Doha.

Entities

Ahmedabad Customs · Gyaneshwari Express · Delhi Customs · Air Intelligence Unit · Central Industrial Security Force

Timeline

9 days ago

[CRIME] 2 sources
Ahmedabad Airport officials seize ₹65.69 lakh gold hidden in passenger's body
Customs officials at Ahmedabad Airport seized 422.83 grams of 24-carat gold, valued at ₹65.69 lakh, after a passenger was found to have hidden gold paste inside his body.
10 days ago

[CRIME] 2 sources
Authorities intercept gold smuggling attempts in Dubai and Mumbai
Customs and security forces in Dubai and Mumbai intercepted significant gold smuggling attempts involving concealed items in suitcase frames and socks during international transit.
10 days ago

[CRIME] 3 sources
DRI seizes ₹3.09 crore worth of smuggled gold at Nagpur station
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence seized 2.165 kg of smuggled gold worth ₹3.09 crore from a passenger on the Gyaneshwari Express at Nagpur Railway Station.
21 days ago

[CRIME] 2 sources
India customs seize hidden gold at Ahmedabad and Delhi airports
India customs seized hidden gold at Ahmedabad (244 g bar from a woman) and Delhi (744 g in swallowed capsules from a man), both incidents under investigation.
24 days ago

[CRIME] 3 sources
India's DRI seizes gold worth ₹23.6 crore, arrests eight in Mumbai airport bust
India's DRI busted two gold‑smuggling gangs at Mumbai airport, seizing ₹23.6 crore (≈15.8 kg) of gold and arresting eight suspects.
about 1 month ago

[CRIME] 3 sources
India police seize 1.3 kg of liquid gold in Goa smuggling bust
Goa police seized 1.3 kg of liquid gold worth 1.5 crore rupees from two Kerala suspects, handing them to customs for further probes.
about 1 month ago

[CRIME] 7 sources
India's DRI Arrests Six in International Gold Smuggling Ring
India's DRI arrested six people, including three Filipinos, for running a gold‑smuggling ring that moved gold via Dubai and Bangkok through Mumbai airport.
about 2 months ago

[CRIME] 3 sources
India's DRI dismantles gold smuggling syndicate at Mumbai airport
India's DRI arrested nine people and seized about 15 kg of gold, 45 kg of silver (≈Rs 23 crore) in coordinated raids that dismantled a gold‑smuggling syndicate at Mumbai airport.
2 months ago

[CRIME] 2 sources
Gold Smuggling in IndiGo Aircraft at Ahmedabad Airport
India’s customs seized 24 gold biscuits worth ₹4 crore hidden in a lavatory speaker box of an IndiGo flight at Ahmedabad airport, prompting an investigation into insider access during aircraft turn‑around.
2 months ago

[CRIME] 2 sources
Indian customs seize multi‑crore gold shipments on Dubai‑origin flights
Customs in India seized gold worth over ₹4.27 cr at Ahmedabad and ₹36.89 lakh at Surat, both hidden in luggage from Dubai flights and confiscated as unclaimed under the Customs Act.
3 months ago

[CRIME] 2 sources
Ahmedabad Airport cargo heist: 8 arrested, Rs 2.58 cr gold jewellery recovered
Eight people were arrested for a Rs 2.58 cr gold jewellery heist from Akasa Air cargo at Ahmedabad Airport; over Rs 1.72 cr in valuables have been recovered.

Sources

aajtak.com · acvila30.ro · bhaskarhindi.com · bhaskarlive.in · businessupturn.com · coinedition.com · culturalpolicy.com · dubaiweek.ae · epaper.assamtribune.com · expressindia.com · kalingatv.com · khabarfast.com · newindianexpress.com · News18.com · news18.com · newsable.asianetnews.com · newsbytesapp.com · newsdrum.in · punjabkesari.com · samacharnama.com · socialnews.xyz · tennews.in · theindianawaaz.com · thepatriot.in · timesnownews.com · unpo.org · yespunjab.com

This summary has been updated 3 times: see revision history