Operations expose sophisticated methods of concealment and organised smuggling networks operating through airports, rail routes and the Indo-Bangladesh border

Continuing its sustained crackdown on organised gold smuggling, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has seized around 41 kg foreign-origin gold, cumulatively valued at around Rs 62 crore in six intelligence-led operations in recent days. The operations have resulted in the arrest of 24 persons, including three foreign nationals, and have exposed sophisticated methods of concealment and organised smuggling networks operating through airports, rail routes and the Indo-Bangladesh border.

In a major operation in Delhi, officers of DRI conducted simultaneous searches, on 07.09.2026, at premises linked to a person involved in the procurement and conversion of foreign-origin gold. A manufacturing  facility with machinery for melting, rolling and die-cutting gold was found at a residential premises. Four foreign-origin gold bars, each weighing 1 kg  along with around 6.2 kg gold chains made from smuggled gold bars, were recovered, taking the total seizure to 10.2 kg (approx.) of gold. One person, who owned the manufacturing facility, was arrested.

Four foreign-origin gold bars seized in Delhi

In a separate operation on 08.09.2026, DRI officers in Delhi intercepted a vehicle coming from Punjab and recovered and seized 1.21 kg gold along with foreign currency valued at approximately Rs. 43.50 lakh;  One person was arrested.

Earlier, on 05–06.09.2026, DRI, in coordination with BSF, seized 89 pieces of foreign-origin gold bars weighing around 11.3 kg recovered from a person near the Indo-Bangladesh border at BOP Halderpara. As the person could not produce documents for lawful possession, the gold was seized under the Customs Act, 1962. The apprehended person admitted his involvement in smuggling and was arrested under the relevant provisions of the Customs Act, 1962.

11.3 kgs Gold seized at Indo-Bangladesh border

Four defaced foreign-origin gold bars seized at Howrah Railway station

In another seizure in West Bengal, on 03–04.09.2026, DRI officers intercepted a passenger travelling under a different name at Howrah Railway Station. Four defaced foreign-origin gold bars, weighing 4.6 kg  were recovered from a specially designed cloth belt concealed around the body. Investigation revealed that the gold had been melted and converted into defaced bars for onward delivery to Mumbai. Both the passenger and his associate were arrested.

In Mumbai, officers of DRI busted a well-organized syndicate involving transit passengers airport staff and recipient/handler. On 09-10.09.26, DRI officers intercepted an airport staff involved in the receipt and clandestine removal of the smuggled gold from the airport, after a hot pursuit of approximately 50 km following his surreptitious exit from the airport in a car. Upon search, he was found in possession of three capsules containing gold dust in wax form. The investigations revealed the gold capsules had been handed over to him in the transit area by a transit passenger and involvement of another female airport staff. In swift follow up operation two transit passengers were intercepted at Mumbai Airport while they were handing over the five gold capsules to the airport staff. The transit passengers had arrived from Muscat and Dubai for onwards journey to Bangkok after the delivery of the smuggled gold. A female airline staff, for her involvement in clandestine removal of the smuggled gold from the airport along with the recipient of the goods were also apprehended.

In all, 8 capsules containing gold dust in wax form, weighing 3.47 kg in net weight, were recovered and seized.  Five persons, comprising two transit passengers, two airport staff members, and one recipient were arrested. The operation once again highlights that organised networks are increasingly exploiting transit routes and airport personnel for clandestine removal of smuggled gold.

Eight capsules with Gold in paste form seized at Mumbai

Earlier, in two separate operations on 31.08.26 and 06.09.2026, officers of DRI seized 1.6 kg foreign-origin gold from a passenger travelling by a train from Kolkata to Mumbai, leading to his arrest. In second operation, an arc-shaped 24-carat gold bar weighing around 700 grams was recovered from the motor of a treadmill imported from Hong Kong. Follow-up searches in Mumbai, Chennai, Tiruvallur and Chengalpattu led to the recovery of other dismantled machines and tools used for concealment. Two persons, including a Chinese national, were arrested

Gold recovered from a motor of a tread mill in Mumbai

On 8-9.09.26, DRI, in coordination with Chandauli Police, Uttar Pradesh, took over the proceedings involving recovery of 22 foreign origin gold bars concealed in a box beneath the gearbox of the car. The occupants of the car could not produce documents in support of licit possession of recovered gold. The preliminary investigations indicated that  the recovered gold had been smuggled from Bangladesh. Accordingly, the recovered gold weighing around 2.56 kg, was seized and both the persons were arrested by DRI under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962.

On 8-9.09.26, DRI officers intercepted one passenger, who was found to be travelling on a fake identity, at the domestic arrival area of Kempegowda International Airport Bengaluru, who was suspected to have retrieved smuggled gold concealed inside an aircraft. On examination, five gold bar cut-pieces weighing around 1 kg were recovered from his baggage, One person  was arrested.

In Chennai on 30.08/01.09.2026, DRI officers, acting on specific intelligence, intercepted two passengers arriving from Sri Lanka at Chennai International Airport in two different flights. Eight capsules containing gold in paste form were recovered through rectum concealment; extraction yielded 2.5 kg 24-carat gold. Investigation revealed insider collusion of airport staff.. Six persons, including the two foreign passengers, were arrested in this case.

In two separate operations in Calicut on 01–02.09.2026, DRI officers seized 1.7 kg gold. In one case at Calicut International Airport, 770 grams of gold was extracted from gold-containing compound concealed in two capsules and a packet hidden inside the diaper worn by the passenger’s infant daughter. In another case, around 1 kg of 24-carat gold piece was recovered from the heavy metallic ring portion of a coffee machine carried in checked-in baggage by a passenger arriving from Dubai. Two persons were arrested.

Gold concealed in Coffee Machine at Calicut

DRI's intelligence-led and coordinated enforcement actions continue to disrupt organised gold-smuggling networks at multiple stages of the smuggling chain and prevent the illicit movement of precious metals into the country.