In a pan India operation Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has busted a gold smuggling syndicate of Sudanese nationals operating through Nepal border. The DRI, in different interceptions in Patna, Pune and Mumbai seized a total of 101.7 kg of smuggled gold valued at ₹51 crore (approx.). The seized gold, mostly in paste form, was being brought to Patna through the Indo-Nepal border and then transported via train or by air to different parts of the country, largely to Mumbai.

The DRI officials intercepted three Sudanese nationals in the late night of 19.02.2023 boarding a train at the Patna Railway Station destined to Mumbai. Gold paste containing gold weighing 37.126 kg in 40 packets was recovered from 2 Sudanese who had ingeniously concealed it in specially made cavity of the sleeveless jackets worn by them. The third person was the handler coordinating the smuggling activity at the border area and arranged the transport of smuggled gold.

The second set of two Sudanese lady nationals were intercepted on 20.02.2023 in Pune while travelling from Hyderabad to Mumbai via Bus and 5.615 kg of smuggled gold in assorted form was recovered from them concealed in their hand bags.

The third set of two Sudanese nationals travelling to Mumbai from Patna were intercepted at Mumbai Railway Station on 20.02.2023. Gold paste containing gold weighing 38.76 kg in 40 packets was recovered from 2 Sudanese who had concealed it in similar fashion.

Acting swiftly on the leads provided by the smugglers/carriers, the DRI officers recovered about 20.2 kg smuggled gold in assorted forms along with ₹74 lakh worth foreign currency and ₹63 lakh Indian currency from different premises in Mumbai being used for extraction/ storage of smuggled gold. Three persons were apprehended in this follow up action.

DRI has earlier unearthed various novel modus operandi of smuggling foreign origin gold into India such as smuggling from the north eastern part of the country either through courier route of logistics company or using concealment methods in vehicles or in person by bus, train, flight etc. or recovery of gold from sea bed in Tamil Nadu Coast, after it was thrown by smugglers from the fishing boat etc apart from the traditional modes used by the smugglers.

In the present operation, code named Golden Dawn, DRI seized a total of approximately 101.7 kg gold valued at ₹51 crore along with ₹74 lakh worth foreign currency and ₹63 lakh Indian currency and arrested 7 Sudanese and 3 Indian nationals so far. Further investigation is in progress.

Gold smuggling interdiction leads to nationwide seizures and arrests, exposing cross border concealment schemes and asset recovery. A coordinated customs enforcement operation intercepted persons and premises linked to a cross border gold smuggling syndicate, recovering concealed gold in paste and assorted forms, foreign and Indian currency, and detaining suspected handlers and facilitators. The operation documented concealment methods-specialised clothing cavities and luggage concealment-use of transit hubs for distribution, and proceeded to secure seized material and arrests for further investigation and potential prosecution.