Reported by Urban Acres
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence has busted an alleged gold-smuggling network operating across Gujarat, tracing foreign-origin gold brought through Ahmedabad and Surat airports to an illegal melting facility in Vadodara and a jewellery outlet in Ahmedabad.
Three people have been arrested under the Customs Act, 1962, after a coordinated operation that began on October 16 and continued for 42 hours, according to a release issued by the agency. Investigators said the syndicate handled about 13 kg of foreign-origin gold valued at Rs 19.41 crore and was linked to a Dubai-based supplier.
The operation involved surveillance followed by searches at multiple locations. DRI officials said they uncovered a chain involving air passengers, handlers, intermediaries, an illegal melting-facility operator and a jewellery trade channel. The agency also identified the handler or financier, the operator of the melting unit and other key persons during the investigation.
According to the DRI, passengers were routed from different foreign airports to Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport in Ahmedabad and Surat International Airport. The gold was allegedly concealed in several forms, including wires coated with rhodium, material embedded in the inner linings of trolley bags and gold paste hidden inside trolley-bag shells.
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