The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) on Wednesday busted a big trans-border gold smuggling syndicate operating with links to Dubai and Bangladesh, officials said.
In a press statement, the DRI
said that the operation, carried out on Tuesday, involved searches at multiple locations in Delhi and Agartala, leading to the seizure of over 29 kg of foreign-origin gold and cash worth Rs 2.90 crore.
Based on specific intelligence, DRI officials apprehended a key member of the syndicate from a domestic logistics warehouse while he was taking delivery of two consignments originating from Agartala. Examination of the consignments led to the recovery of 15 kg of foreign-origin gold, bearing international refinery markings, valued at around Rs 20.73 crore.
Simultaneous searches conducted at various premises in Delhi and Agartala resulted in the seizure of an additional 14.2 kg of foreign-origin gold and cash, including Indian and Bangladeshi currency.
In total, the DRI seized 29.2 kg of gold, valued at around Rs 40 crore, along with Rs 2.9 crore cash, under the provisions of the Customs Act. Four members of the smuggling syndicate have been arrested in connection with the case.
Investigations have revealed that the syndicate smuggled gold into India through the Indo-Bangladesh border via Tripura and subsequently transported it to Delhi using domestic cargo services. Officials said the operation involved the active connivance of handlers based in Dubai and Bangladesh, along with local operatives running jewellery shops in Agartala.
The DRI said the action was part of its ongoing efforts to curb illicit gold flows and safeguard India’s economic and fiscal stability. Further investigation is underway, officials added.
