DRI busts pan-India gold smuggling network; 11 arrested
DRI seizes 6.6 kg of gold worth Rs 10.36 crore and arrests 11 people, including a mastermind, in a massive courier-based smuggling bust.
In a massive crackdown on organized crime, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has dismantled a sophisticated pan-India gold smuggling syndicate. During a high-stakes operation, officials seized approximately 6.61 kg of foreign-origin gold, valued at roughly Rs 10.36 crore, and apprehended 11 individuals, including a key mastermind behind the operation.
A Massive Multi-City Operation
The DRI launched a coordinated multi-city strike on September 23–24, 2026, following precise intelligence regarding the illegal movement of gold. The syndicate utilized the Indo-Bangladesh border, specifically through West Bengal and Assam, to bring in foreign-origin gold before distributing it across India via courier services.
The coordinated raids took place simultaneously in several major hubs, including:
- Mumbai
- Delhi
- Kolkata
- Ahmedabad
- Guwahati
During these interceptions, officials caught live courier consignments in transit. These shipments were booked from Guwahati and Kolkata, destined for recipients in Mumbai, Delhi, and Ahmedabad.
Modus Operandi: The Courier Network Trap
The investigation revealed a calculated strategy to evade customs detection. The syndicate would split large quantities of smuggled gold into multiple small courier consignments. This method allowed them to transport the precious metal through unconventional logistics channels to various parts of the country for sale in the domestic market.
To further mask their activities, the group used "paper entities"—individuals or businesses with no legitimate gold trading history—acting as both shippers and recipients. This deliberate attempt to use the courier network as a front for distribution was a central pillar of their operation.
Staggering Scale of Smuggling Revealed
The scale of the syndicate's activities is far larger than the recent seizure suggests. Preliminary scrutiny of documentary evidence has uncovered a massive volume of illegal trade. In just the first nine months of the current calendar year, the group had already moved approximately 318 kg of smuggled gold through their courier-based network, with an estimated value of Rs 475 crore.
Key Arrests and Seizures
The DRI's swift action resulted in the following:
- 11 total arrests, including one primary mastermind caught in Mumbai.
- 7 recipients apprehended during the interception of live consignments.
- 3 shippers apprehended during searches at premises in Kolkata.
- 6.61 kg of gold in bar form, valued at Rs 10.36 crore, seized under the Customs Act, 1962.
The DRI has emphasized its continued commitment to disrupting organized smuggling networks, particularly those exploiting unconventional logistics and courier channels to bypass national security and economic regulations.