Mumbai The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has busted a major international gold smuggling ring at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International (CSMI) Airport under ‘Operation Golden Nexus’. During the operation, about 3.2 kg of 24 carat gold (in wax form) of foreign origin was recovered, the estimated value of which is said to be around Rs 5 crore. A total of seven people, including three airport employees, have been arrested in this case. According to DRI, secret information was received that some airport employees were taking smuggled gold from Bangladeshi and Sri Lankan transit passengers coming from Bangkok and sending it to the local network outside the airport premises.
Based on the information, DRI laid a trap and caught three airport employees when they were trying to take the gold consignment out of the airport and deliver it to the receiver. The arrested employees include two bus/coach drivers and a coach monitor.
After this, DRI took prompt action and identified three transit passengers belonging to the gang and arrested them. These include a Bangladeshi national and two Sri Lankan nationals, who were preparing to leave India on a connecting flight. Investigation revealed that these passengers had smuggled the gold into India by hiding it inside their bodies.
DRI recovered a total of 3.2 kg of 24 carat gold dust (in wax form), estimated to be worth around Rs 5 crore. This gold was confiscated under the Customs Act, 1962.
In this operation the entire smuggling network was exposed and a total of seven people including three transit passengers, three airport employees and a local receiver were arrested.
DRI said that this success has come at a time when the government has increased the customs duty and taxes on gold with the aim of conserving foreign exchange and strengthening economic security. This action is being considered a great example of DRI’s strong intelligence system, quick operation capability and effective action against organized smuggling gangs.
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