The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has intensified its nationwide campaign against organised gold smuggling, seizing approximately 41 kg of foreign-origin gold valued at around ₹62 crore through a series of intelligence-led operations in recent days. The coordinated action has resulted in the arrest of 24 people, including three foreign nationals, while uncovering sophisticated smuggling methods involving airports, railway routes, vehicles and the Indo-Bangladesh border.
In Delhi, DRI officers carried out simultaneous searches on September 7, 2026, at locations associated with a person allegedly involved in procuring and processing foreign-origin gold.
At the residential premises, officials discovered a manufacturing facility equipped with machinery used for melting, rolling and die-cutting gold. The search led to the recovery of four foreign-origin gold bars weighing 1 kg each, along with approximately 6.2 kg of gold chains manufactured from smuggled bars.
The total recovery in the operation stood at approximately 10.2 kg of gold. The owner of the facility was arrested.
In another Delhi operation on September 8, DRI officers intercepted a vehicle travelling from Punjab. The search resulted in the seizure of 1.21 kg of gold and foreign currency worth approximately ₹43.50 lakh. One person was arrested in connection with the case.
Border Network Busted in West Bengal
Between September 5 and 6, DRI, working alongside the Border Security Force (BSF), seized 89 foreign-origin gold bars weighing around 11.3 kg from a person near the Indo-Bangladesh border at BOP Halderpara.
The individual failed to provide documents establishing lawful possession of the gold. Authorities subsequently seized the consignment under the Customs Act, 1962. During questioning, the apprehended person reportedly admitted involvement in gold smuggling and was arrested under the relevant provisions of the law.
Earlier, on September 3–4, DRI officers intercepted a passenger at Howrah Railway Station who was travelling under a different identity. Four defaced foreign-origin gold bars weighing approximately 4.6 kg were discovered concealed inside a specially designed cloth belt worn around the body.
The investigation indicated that the gold had been melted and converted into defaced bars before being transported for onward delivery to Mumbai. The passenger and an associate were arrested.
Airport Smuggling Syndicate Exposed in Mumbai
A significant operation in Mumbai uncovered an organised network allegedly involving transit passengers, airport personnel and a recipient or handler.
On September 9–10, DRI officers intercepted an airport employee suspected of receiving and clandestinely removing smuggled gold from the airport. The employee was pursued for nearly 50 km after allegedly leaving the airport secretly in a vehicle.
A search resulted in the recovery of three capsules containing gold dust in wax form. Further investigation indicated that the capsules had been handed over to the airport employee in the transit area by a transit passenger. The probe also revealed the alleged involvement of another female airport employee.
In a follow-up operation, two transit passengers were intercepted at Mumbai Airport while allegedly handing over five gold capsules to airport personnel. The passengers had arrived from Muscat and Dubai and were scheduled to travel onward to Bangkok after delivering the smuggled gold.
A female airline employee and the alleged recipient were also apprehended. In total, eight capsules containing gold dust in wax form, weighing 3.47 kg, were recovered and seized. Five people, including two transit passengers, two airport employees and one recipient, were arrested.
Concealment Methods Under DRI Scanner
DRI operations have also exposed increasingly inventive concealment techniques. In separate operations on August 31 and September 6, officers seized 1.6 kg of foreign-origin gold from a passenger travelling by train from Kolkata to Mumbai.
In another case, an arc-shaped 24-carat gold bar weighing around 700 grams was discovered concealed inside the motor of a treadmill imported from Hong Kong. Follow-up searches across Mumbai, Chennai, Tiruvallur and Chengalpattu resulted in the recovery of dismantled machinery and tools allegedly used for concealment. Two people, including a Chinese national, were arrested.
Gold Seized From Vehicle and Airports
On September 8–9, DRI, in coordination with Chandauli Police in Uttar Pradesh, took over proceedings involving 22 foreign-origin gold bars concealed in a box beneath a car’s gearbox. The occupants could not establish lawful possession. Preliminary findings indicated that the gold had been smuggled from Bangladesh. The approximately 2.56 kg consignment was seized and both occupants were arrested.
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At Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru, DRI officers intercepted a passenger allegedly travelling under a fake identity. The passenger was suspected of retrieving smuggled gold concealed inside an aircraft. Five cut pieces of gold bars weighing approximately 1 kg were recovered from his baggage, leading to his arrest.
Chennai and Calicut Operations
In Chennai, DRI officers intercepted two passengers arriving from Sri Lanka on different flights between August 30 and September 1. Eight capsules containing gold paste were recovered through rectal concealment, yielding approximately 2.5 kg of 24-carat gold. The investigation pointed to alleged insider involvement by airport staff. Six people, including the two foreign passengers, were arrested.
In two separate Calicut operations conducted on September 1–2, DRI seized approximately 1.7 kg of gold. One case involved 770 grams recovered from a gold-containing compound hidden in capsules and a packet concealed inside a diaper worn by a passenger’s infant daughter.
In another case, approximately 1 kg of 24-carat gold was recovered from the heavy metallic ring component of a coffee machine carried in checked baggage by a passenger arriving from Dubai. Two people were arrested.
The latest enforcement actions underline DRI’s continued focus on dismantling organised gold-smuggling networks and disrupting illicit supply chains at multiple stages, from border crossings and transport routes to airport transit areas and concealed delivery mechanisms.
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