DRI Seizes ₹1.4 Crore Gold At Indore Airport

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has foiled a gold smuggling racket at Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport in Indore, seizing 1.02 kg of gold worth approximately ₹1.44 crore. The gold was smuggled from Abu Dhabi on an Indore-bound flight.

The DRI had been monitoring the situation and had received intelligence that some airport officials were involved in helping the smugglers. The smugglers used a unique method to evade security, where passengers would hand over the gold to an Air India Express employee at the aerobridge after deboarding the aircraft.

The Air India Express employee would then descend from the aerobridge to the tarmac using the stairs, bypassing Immigration and Customs, and hand over the smuggled gold to syndicate members waiting outside the airport. On August 3, 2026, DRI officers kept surveillance outside the airport and intercepted a blue Hyundai car carrying two syndicate members.

A person dressed in an Air India Express uniform approached the car and handed over a packet to the occupants. The car was then intercepted by DRI officers, who found two silver-coloured metal bangles in the glove box. However, upon closer inspection, the bangles were found to be made of gold and coated with a layer of silver to conceal their true nature.

The DRI officers subsequently identified and intercepted the passenger who had carried the gold from Abu Dhabi, as well as the Air India Express employee allegedly involved in assisting the syndicate. An Executive Assistant with Indore Customs was also found to be involved in helping the syndicate smuggle foreign-origin gold into India.

A total of 1.02 kg of 24-carat gold, valued at approximately ₹1.44 crore, was seized. All five accused were arrested under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962. Further investigation is underway.

The seizure is a significant blow to gold smugglers who use unique methods to evade security. The involvement of airport officials and Customs personnel in the smuggling racket is also a cause for concern. The DRI has been cracking down on gold smuggling in recent months, and this seizure is a major success for the agency.

The gold smuggling racket is a complex network that involves multiple players, including passengers, airport officials, and Customs personnel. The use of silver-coated gold bangles to evade security is a new method that has been uncovered by the DRI. The agency will continue to monitor the situation and take action against those involved in gold smuggling.

The seizure of ₹1.44 crore worth of gold is a significant amount, and it highlights the scale of the gold smuggling problem in India. The DRI will continue to work to prevent gold smuggling and protect the country's economy.

In conclusion, the DRI has successfully foiled a gold smuggling racket at Indore Airport, seizing ₹1.44 crore worth of gold. The involvement of airport officials and Customs personnel in the smuggling racket is a cause for concern, and the DRI will continue to take action against those involved. The seizure is a significant blow to gold smugglers and a major success for the DRI.

The gold smuggling racket is a serious issue that affects the country's economy. The DRI's efforts to prevent gold smuggling are crucial in protecting the country's economy and preventing the loss of revenue. The agency will continue to work to prevent gold smuggling and take action against those involved.

The seizure of ₹1.44 crore worth of gold is a significant achievement for the DRI, and it highlights the agency's commitment to preventing gold smuggling. The DRI will continue to monitor the situation and take action against those involved in gold smuggling.

The gold smuggling racket is a complex issue that requires a coordinated effort to prevent. The DRI's efforts to prevent gold smuggling are crucial in protecting the country's economy and preventing the loss of revenue. The agency will continue to work to prevent gold smuggling and take action against those involved.

In the end, the DRI's seizure of ₹1.44 crore worth of gold is a significant success for the agency, and it highlights the agency's commitment to preventing gold smuggling. The agency will continue to work to prevent gold smuggling and protect the country's economy.