15 October,2023 11:00 PM IST | Mumbai | Faizan Khan
Gold seized by DRI/ Sourced Photo
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) orchestrated a meticulously planned raid across three locations, leading to the dismantling of a significant gold smuggling syndicate. Acting on precise intel, the DRI crackdown exposed the intricate web of operations with the recovery of foreign-origin gold from various parts of the country.
The recent operation, conducted on October 13 and October 14, witnessed the confiscation of an astonishing 31.7 Kg of smuggled gold, valued at approximately Rs. 19 crores. Notably, the seizure took place simultaneously in Varanasi, Nagpur, and Mumbai.
The Nagpur team intercepted two carriers transporting 8.5 Kg of foreign-marked gold upon their arrival at the Nagpur railway station from a train originating from Kolkata. Subsequent interrogation of the carriers led to the identification and arrest of two additional receivers involved in the illicit trade.
Meanwhile, the Varanasi team, with the aid of local law enforcement, engaged in a dramatic three-hour pursuit culminating in the capture of two individuals and their vehicle. A daring search operation yielded an additional 18.2 Kg of concealed gold stashed beneath the handbrake compartment of the car. In a separate operation, the Mumbai team apprehended five suspects who had travelled from Varanasi via train, carrying 4.9 Kg of smuggled gold.
Investigations revealed the syndicate's modus operandi, entailing the smuggling of gold from the borders of Bangladesh into India, with subsequent diversions to key cities like Mumbai, Nagpur, and Varanasi. The collaborative effort resulted in the arrest of a total of 11 individuals, encompassing all levels of the illicit operation, including carriers, handlers, and final recipients of the smuggled gold.
"This operation once again shows the ability of DRI to work in a professional way to unearth syndicates posing a threat to the economic security of the country. It also highlights the fruits of inter-agency cooperation in such a pan-India operation." The DRI said in its statement.
