DRI Busts ₹15 Crore Gold Smuggling Racket in Mumbai
11.88 kg gold seized, 11 arrested in crackdown on illegal melting units and grey market sales
- DRI uncovers a major gold smuggling and melting syndicate in Mumbai.
- 11.88 kg of gold worth ₹15.05 crore and 8.72 kg silver seized.
- 11 people, including the mastermind and his associates, arrested.
- Operation targeted covert melting units and illegal bullion trading.
GG News Bureau
Mumbai, 12th Nov: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has dismantled a major gold smuggling and melting syndicate in Mumbai under “Operation Bullion Blaze”, seizing 11.88 kg of 24-carat gold worth ₹15.05 crore and 8.72 kg of silver valued at ₹13.17 lakh.
Acting on specific intelligence, DRI officials conducted simultaneous raids on November 10, 2025, at four secret locations across Mumbai — including two illegal gold-melting units and two unregistered shops used for storage and sales.
Both melting units were found fully operational, equipped with wax-coated smuggled gold and complete furnace setups for converting it into bars. The operation led to the recovery of 6.35 kg of gold on the spot, while a further 5.53 kg was seized from one of the unregistered shops used for distribution.
In a swift follow-up, 11 individuals linked to the network — including the mastermind, his father, a manager, four hired melters, an accountant, and three delivery agents — were arrested. The accused were produced before the Judicial Magistrate First Class (JMFC), Mumbai, and remanded to judicial custody.
Preliminary investigations have revealed a well-organised conspiracy aimed at smuggling gold into India, melting it in concealed facilities, and selling it illegally in the grey market — in direct violation of the Customs Act, 1962 and India’s gold import regulations.
The DRI stated that such networks undermine lawful trade and defraud government revenue, posing risks to India’s economic stability. The agency reaffirmed its commitment to dismantling organised smuggling operations and maintaining a transparent, compliant bullion market.
Further investigation into the wider network and cross-border linkages is underway.
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