DRI Busts ₹1.44 Crore Gold Smuggling Racket At Indore Airport

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has busted a gold smuggling racket operating through Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport in Indore, arresting five persons, including a Customs Department executive assistant and an Air India Express employee.

The accused were allegedly involved in smuggling 1.02 kg of 24-carat foreign-origin gold, valued at ₹1.44 crore, from Abu Dhabi to Indore on a flight that landed on Monday night.

The DRI disclosed the operation on Wednesday, saying the syndicate had devised a unique modus operandi, where passengers carrying gold from Abu Dhabi handed over the smuggled metal to an Air India Express employee at the aerobridge before entering the Customs arrival area.

The airline employee then descended onto the tarmac, bypassing Immigration and Customs, and allegedly passed the gold to syndicate members waiting outside the airport.

Acting on specific intelligence inputs, DRI officers maintained discreet surveillance outside the airport on August 3. A car carrying two syndicate members entered the airport premises and stopped near the arrival point.

Soon afterwards, an Air India Express employee, dressed in official uniform, allegedly delivered a parcel to the occupants. As the vehicle attempted to leave, DRI officers intercepted it after strategically cordoning off the airport exit road.

A search of the vehicle led to the recovery of two silver-coloured metallic 'kadas' (bracelets) from the glove box. On examination, officers found that the articles were made of gold coated with a layer of silver to conceal their true nature and evade Customs detection.

The DRI later identified and intercepted the passenger who had brought the gold from Abu Dhabi as well as the Air India Express employee allegedly involved. During questioning, investigators found that an executive assistant of Indore Customs was also allegedly part of the racket.

The DRI seized 1.02 kg of 24-carat gold in the form of two silver-coloured metallic 'kadas' worth ₹1.44 crore. Those arrested under the Customs Act, 1962, include Sanjay Muije, Aman Gehlot, Govind Porwal, Ajay Kumarsen, and one more person.

The bust highlights the ongoing efforts of the DRI to crack down on gold smuggling in the country. The use of unique methods, such as coating gold with silver, to evade detection is a growing concern for authorities.

The operation is a significant achievement for the DRI, demonstrating its ability to gather intelligence and take action against smuggling syndicates. The arrests and seizures will likely serve as a deterrent to others involved in similar activities.

In the context of India's ongoing efforts to curb gold smuggling, this operation is a notable success. The country has seen a rise in gold smuggling cases in recent years, with smugglers using various methods to evade detection.

The DRI's actions in this case will contribute to the government's efforts to reduce gold smuggling and prevent the loss of revenue. The operation also highlights the importance of collaboration between different agencies, such as the DRI and Customs, in combating smuggling activities.

The significance of this operation lies in its ability to disrupt a major gold smuggling racket and prevent the smuggling of valuable goods into the country. It also underscores the need for continued vigilance and cooperation between law enforcement agencies to combat smuggling and related activities.