Home India Ministry of Finance DRI busts cross-border gold smuggling racket in West Bengal;...
Date: 2026-07-01 Category: Press Release State: Union Government Country: India

DRI busts cross-border gold smuggling racket in West Bengal; 24 kg foreign-origin gold worth ₹34 crore seized, seven held

Issued by Ministry of Finance · Not Applicable

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Executive Summary & Key Takeaways

On July 1, 2026, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) dismantled a well-organized cross-border gold smuggling syndicate operating along the Indo-Bangladesh border in West Bengal. **Operation and Seizure Details** During an intelligence-led operation, DRI officials intercepted seven individuals traveling on separate motorcycles from Krishnanagar toward Chakdaha in the Nadia district. A search of the individuals revealed 180 pieces of foreign-marked and defaced gold bars. The contraband was hidden in specially tailored cloth belts worn around the suspects' waists to avoid detection. **Metrics and Legal Action** * **Quantity:** Approximately 24 kg of foreign-origin gold (180 bars). * **Estimated Value:** Approximately Rs. 34 crore. * **Legal Framework:** The gold was seized under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962. * **Arrests:** Seven individuals were arrested in connection with the smuggling operation. **Investigation Findings** Preliminary investigations suggest the carriers collected the gold from locations near the Indo-Bangladesh border and were in the process of transporting it for delivery to a second group of carriers. **Administrative Information** * **Source:** Ministry of Finance, PIB Delhi * **Release ID:** 2279942 * **Visitor Counter:** 6113 * **Reference Codes:** SR/KMN

Key Entities Referenced

Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI): The primary intelligence and enforcement agency that intercepted the syndicate and seized the smuggled gold. Customs Act, 1962: The legal provision under which the foreign-origin gold was seized and the involved persons were arrested. Indo-Bangladesh border, West Bengal: The central location of operation for the gold smuggling syndicate and the site of the intelligence-led crackdown.
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Ministry of Finance DRI busts cross-border gold smuggling racket in West Bengal; 24 kg foreign-origin gold worth ₹34 crore seized, seven held प्रव तथ: 01 JUL 2026 5:37PM by PIB Delhi In a major crackdown against cross-border smuggling of foreign-origin gold, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has successfully unearthed and dismantled a well-organised gold smuggling syndicate operating along the Indo-Bangladesh border in West Bengal. In an intelligence led operation, DRI officials intercepted seven persons travelling on separate motorcycles from Krishnanagar towards Chakdaha in Nadia district, West Bengal. Personal search of the intercepted persons resulted in the recovery of 180 pieces of foreign-marked and defaced gold bars, ingeniously concealed inside specially tailored cloth belts worn around their waists to evade detection. The recovered foreign-origin gold, collectively weighing approximately 24 kg and valued at approximately Rs. 34 crore, was seized under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962. All seven persons involved in the smuggling operation have been arrested. Preliminary investigation has revealed that the carriers had collected the smuggled gold from locations near the Indo-Bangladesh border and were transporting it onward for delivery to another set of carriers. **** SR/KMN(रलीज़ आईडी: 2279942) आगंतुक पटल : 1718 इस वज्ञ को इन भाषाओ ंम पढ़: Gujarati , Urdu , ही , Tamil , Telugu

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