DRI Busts Dubai–Bangladesh Gold Smuggling Racket
29 kg gold worth over ₹40 crore and ₹2.9 crore cash seized; four arrested.
- International gold smuggling syndicate unearthed
- Searches conducted in Delhi and Agartala
- 29.2 kg foreign-origin gold seized
- ₹2.9 crore cash recovered
- Four syndicate members arrested
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 7th Jan: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has busted a major trans-border gold smuggling syndicate operating from Dubai and Bangladesh, seizing more than 29 kg of foreign-origin gold valued at over ₹40 crore along with ₹2.9 crore in cash.
Based on specific intelligence, DRI officers on January 6 intercepted a key syndicate member at a domestic logistics warehouse while he was taking delivery of two consignments originating from Agartala, Tripura. On examination, 15 kg of gold bearing international refinery markings and valued at approximately ₹20.73 crore was recovered.
Simultaneous searches carried out at multiple locations in Delhi and Agartala led to the seizure of an additional 14.2 kg of gold and ₹2.9 crore in cash, including Indian and Bangladeshi currency. In total, 29.2 kg of gold and cash worth ₹2.9 crore were seized under provisions of the Customs Act.
Four members of the syndicate have been arrested in connection with the case.
Preliminary investigation revealed that the syndicate smuggled gold into India through the Indo–Bangladesh border via Tripura and transported it to Delhi using domestic cargo services. The operation involved handlers based in Dubai and Bangladesh, along with local operatives running jewellery shops in Agartala.
The DRI said further investigation is underway, reaffirming its commitment to curb illicit gold flows and safeguard India’s economic and fiscal stability.
