DRI Busts Major Gold Smuggling Racket in Mumbai Under “Operation Bullion Blaze”

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has busted a big gold smuggling network in Mumbai under an operation called “Operation Bullion Blaze”. The investigation found that a group was illegally bringing gold into India, melting it secretly in hidden furnaces, and then selling the refined gold in the black market to make illegal profits.

On November 10, 2025, DRI officers conducted continuous investigations at four secret locations in Mumbai, including two illegal melting units and two unregistered shops.

Both locations were found operational and equipped with full setups for converting smuggled gold in wax and other forms into bars. Officers raided and detained the operators and recovered 6.35 kg of gold. Officers further investigated the two shops used by the mastermind for receiving smuggled gold and selling melted bars to local buyers and found an additional 5.53 kg of gold bars from one of the shops.

In all, 11.88 kg of 24-carat gold, which is valued at Rs 15.05 crore and 8.72 kg of silver worth Rs 13.17 lakh were seized under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962.

The team arrested a total of 11 persons who were also involved in smuggling, melting and illegal sale of gold, including the mastermind. the syndicate was being run by the mastermind with his father, a manager, four hired melters, an accountant responsible for keeping records of smuggled gold and three delivery personnel handling its distribution. All of them were produced before the JMFC, Mumbai and remanded to judicial custody.

Early investigations show that this was a planned and organised gold smuggling racket, breaking India’s gold import rules and trying to cheat the government of tax money. However, further investigation is ongoing.

By catching illegal gold shipments and breaking these hidden trade networks, the DRI is working to protect India’s economy and keep trade fair and transparent.