Acting on specific intelligence, DRI officers seized 1.815 kg of foreign-origin gold valued at approximately Rs 2.89 crore from a courier consignment that arrived at the International Courier Terminal (ICT), Mumbai, from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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In a significant breakthrough against organised gold smuggling, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Mumbai, has foiled a novel attempt to illegally import gold into the country through an international courier channel. Acting on specific intelligence, DRI officers seized 1.815 kg of foreign-origin gold valued at approximately Rs 2.89 crore from a courier consignment that arrived at the International Courier Terminal (ICT), Mumbai, from Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, reported news agency ANI.
According to officials, the consignment was declared as a household appliance and contained a meat-grinding machine. However, a detailed examination of the parcel raised suspicion, prompting DRI officers to carry out a thorough inspection. Upon dismantling the meat grinder and breaking open its internal gear mechanism, officers recovered 32 cut pieces of gold of varying sizes that had been ingeniously concealed within the gear assembly. The concealment method was designed to evade conventional scanning and detection processes at courier terminals.
The total quantity of gold recovered weighed 1,815 grams. Both the seized gold and the meat grinder used for concealment were confiscated under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962. Officials said the innovative concealment technique reflected the increasing sophistication being adopted by gold-smuggling syndicates to bypass enforcement checks, reported ANI.
Following the seizure, the DRI launched swift follow-up operations, leading to the apprehension of two individuals linked to the smuggling attempt. One of the arrested persons was responsible for collecting the courier consignment upon clearance, while the other had arranged and provided Know Your Customer (KYC) documents to facilitate the shipment’s release from the courier terminal. Investigators are probing the roles of additional suspects and the possible involvement of an international syndicate behind the operation.
DRI officials stated that the case underscores the constantly evolving methods employed by smuggling networks and reiterated the agency’s commitment to detecting new concealment techniques, dismantling transnational smuggling rackets, and safeguarding India’s economic security. Further investigation in the matter is currently underway.
DRI cracks down on organised international gold smuggling syndicate
Meanwhile, earlier this month, the DRI carried out a major crackdown on a well-organised international gold smuggling syndicate with links spanning Dubai and Bangladesh. Based on specific intelligence, coordinated searches were conducted in Delhi and Agartala, Tripura, resulting in the seizure of over 29 kg of foreign-origin gold and cash worth approximately Rs 2.90 crore.
On January 6, 2026, a key member of the syndicate was apprehended at a domestic logistics warehouse while taking delivery of two consignments originating from Agartala. Examination of these consignments led to the recovery of 15 kg of foreign-origin gold bearing international refinery markings, valued at around Rs 20.73 crore. Simultaneous searches at multiple locations yielded an additional 14.2 kg of gold and Rs 2.90 crore in cash, including Indian and Bangladeshi currency. In total, 29.2 kg of gold worth approximately Rs 40 crore and cash of Rs 2.9 crore were seized, and four members of the syndicate were arrested.
(With inputs from ANI)
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