DRI busts Gold Smuggling Syndicate in a Multi Locational Operation

DRI busted a gold smuggling syndicate in a pan-India operation, seizing 31.7 kg of gold on 13/14.10.2023. In continuation of the aforementioned action, DRI busted another branch of the same group that was attempting to transport gold via the land/rail route.

The DRI Mumbai team apprehended two people travelling by bus with smuggled gold near Pune. 5 kgs of illegal gold were confiscated from their possession late on October 30, 2023. This operation uncovered information about a handler situated in a community in the Sangli district.

DRI officers searched his home early in the morning on October 31, 2023, and discovered that two more carriers of the same syndicate are smuggling gold from Varanasi to Nagpur.

Following that, the information was relayed with the DRI Varanasi team, who quickly took action and apprehended the two couriers, resulting in the seizure of 8.7 kg of smuggled gold on October 31, 2023.

The combined efforts of DRI Mumbai, Goa Regional Unit, and Varanasi personnel resulted in the recovery of 13.7 kgs of smuggled gold worth Rs. 8.5 crores. A total of five people have been arrested, three of whom were apprehended in Mumbai and two in Varanasi.

The operation demonstrates DRI’s capacity to adopt a coordinated effort to combat blatant smuggling attempts by numerous syndicates.