DRI Conducts Major Crackdown on Gold Smuggling, Seizes 21 kg of Foreign Gold, 5 Arrested

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has seized approximately 21 kilograms of gold of foreign origin across seven separate operations as part of a nationwide campaign against gold smuggling. The total value of the seized gold is estimated to be more than 61 crore rupees. During these actions, five individuals were arrested under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962.

In one significant operation, DRI officials intercepted two new Thar vehicles near the Palwal toll plaza. During the inspection, it was discovered that a secret compartment had been cleverly created and expertly welded into the chassis of the vehicles, located above the rear wheels. From this hidden space, 15.18 kilograms of gold in the form of bars were recovered, with an estimated value of approximately 23.30 crore rupees. This seizure took place on September 19, 2026, and four people were arrested at the scene. Investigations revealed that this gold had been smuggled from Myanmar.

Prior to this, another operation was conducted on September 16, 2026, at the Jewar toll plaza. A bus passenger traveling from Gorakhpur to Delhi was searched, leading to the recovery of 5.8 kilograms of foreign gold from a specially designed cotton waist belt. This included five gold bars of 1 kilogram each and approximately 800 grams of cut pieces. The accused was arrested under the Customs Act, 1962. According to preliminary investigations, the gold was handed over to him in Kathmandu and brought into the country via the India-Nepal border.

According to the DRI, approximately 123 kilograms of gold and 10 kilograms of silver, with a total value exceeding 187 crore rupees, have been seized across various operations nationwide over the past three weeks. A total of 58 people have been arrested on charges of gold smuggling during this period. The department stated that these operations reflect their commitment to dismantling organized smuggling networks and uncovering new and complex methods of concealing contraband.