The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has taken significant action in response to specific intelligence, leading to the discovery and confiscation of 31.7 kilograms of illicitly smuggled gold with an approximate value of Rs 19 crore. This operation unfolded over a span of two days across locations including Varanasi, Nagpur, and Mumbai.
This successful mission conducted by the DRI was aimed at dismantling a relatively small-scale gold smuggling syndicate, which had been engaged in the illegal importation of foreign-origin gold into India using both land and train routes.
In the city of Nagpur, the authorities apprehended two individuals who were acting as couriers, and as a result of their detention, 8.5 kilograms of gold, marked as foreign, were confiscated. Subsequent to the interrogation of these couriers, law enforcement identified and arrested two additional suspects who had received the illicitly smuggled gold.
Meanwhile, in Varanasi, a high-intensity pursuit that spanned three hours, involving the local police, resulted in the capture of two suspects and the discovery of their vehicle. A thorough search of this vehicle unveiled a concealed compartment located beneath the handbrake, which concealed 18.2 kilograms of gold.
Furthermore, in Mumbai, the DRI team tracked down and apprehended five suspects who had journeyed from Varanasi by train while in possession of gold. In this case, a total of 4.9 kilograms of gold was successfully recovered from them.
Deeper investigations into the matter revealed the modus operandi of the syndicate. They were known to bring the smuggled gold into India through the Bangladesh border, after which it was distributed to various locations, including Mumbai, Nagpur, and Varanasi.
The outcome of these extensive raids was the detention of 11 individuals who played varying roles at different stages of the smuggling operation. These individuals included couriers, handlers, as well as those who received the smuggled gold, all of whom were apprehended.
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