DRI intensifies crackdown on gold smuggling in pan-India operations; seizes around 41 kg foreign-origin gold worth Rs. 62 crore (approx.); 24 persons, including three foreign nationals, arrested

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) conducted pan-India intelligence-led operations that resulted in the seizure of around 41 kg of foreign-origin gold valued at approximately Rs. 62 crore. The operations led to the arrest of 24 individuals, including three foreign nationals. The crackdowns exposed organized smuggling networks utilizing sophisticated methods of concealment across airports, rail routes, the Indo-Bangladesh border, and domestic transit corridors. Interceptions occurred in locations including Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Howrah, Varanasi, Bengaluru, Chennai, and Calicut, involving methods such as body concealment, insider collusion with airport staff, and hiding gold in machinery components and vehicles.