**Executive Summary**
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) conducted a series of pan-India operations on June 26, 2026, to dismantle a major gold smuggling syndicate and an illegal melting facility in Delhi. These operations resulted in the seizure of approximately 9 kg of foreign-origin gold, 42 kg of silver, and foreign currency worth ₹8.15 crore. Eight individuals were arrested for their involvement in a cross-border smuggling network that utilized domestic air cargo and railway routes to finance and transport illicit goods.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Interceptions and Arrests**
* DRI officials intercepted carriers at New Cooch Behar Railway Station (West Bengal) and Mansi Junction (Bihar) carrying 2 kg of concealed gold.
* Simultaneous operations in Delhi led to the arrest of two individuals and the seizure of 1.2 kg of gold.
* A female carrier was apprehended on a train from Sairang to Kolkata with 3.3 kg of foreign-origin gold hidden in a customized waist belt.
* In total, eight persons were arrested across various locations during the coordinated crackdown.
**Facility Dismantling and Seizures**
* An illicit gold-melting facility operating in a densely populated residential area of Delhi was detected and dismantled.
* Total seizures included 9 kg of gold, 42 kg of silver, and 700 grams of gold jewellery.
* Currency seizures amounted to ₹26.67 lakh in Indian currency and foreign exchange (USD 7,58,500 and Thai Baht 35,00,000) valued at approximately ₹8.15 crore.
**Modus Operandi**
* The syndicate used multiple carriers traveling on different trains from the North Eastern region to Delhi to minimize the risk of detection.
* Foreign currency was smuggled out of India via domestic air cargo consignments to fund the inward smuggling of precious metals.
* Investigations established a direct operational link between the procurement of foreign currency in India and the smuggling of gold and silver back into the country from Dubai.
**Impact Analysis**
**Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI)**
**Impact**
The agency successfully disrupted a large-scale, organized smuggling syndicate and dismantled its processing infrastructure in the capital.
**Action Required**
The DRI must continue its investigation into the identified conduits and maintain oversight of the movement of carriers along the North Eastern rail routes and air cargo hubs.
**Smuggling Syndicate and Carriers**
**Impact**
The syndicate has lost significant financial assets and its primary melting facility; eight members are currently in legal custody.
**Action Required**
The arrested individuals are subject to legal proceedings and further interrogation regarding their network.
**Logistics and Transportation Hubs (Railways and Air Cargo)**
**Impact**
The operations highlighted the exploitation of domestic railway and air cargo systems for the movement of illicit currency and precious metals.
**Action Required**
Security and surveillance at railway stations (specifically in West Bengal, Bihar, and the North East) and air cargo facilities (Chennai and Bengaluru) may require enhancement to detect concealed contraband and illicit currency movements.
Key Entities Referenced
Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI): The primary intelligence and enforcement agency responsible for dismantling the gold smuggling syndicate and conducting pan-India seizures of contraband.
Ministry of Finance: The central government ministry overseeing the DRI and its operations against cross-border smuggling and illicit financial activities.
Delhi, West Bengal, Bihar, Chennai, and Bengaluru: The primary geographical locations central to the DRI's coordinated enforcement operations and interceptions across India.
Ministry of Finance
DRI busts illicit gold facility in pan-India
operations; 9 kg smuggled gold, 42 kg silver, and
forex worth ₹8.5 crore seized
DRI dismantles illegal melting unit in Delhi; eight arrested in
gold smuggling case
प्रव तथ: 01 JUL 2026 4:11PM by PIB Delhi
In its continued crackdown against cross border gold smuggling, Directorate of Revenue intelligence
(DRI) officers busted another Delhi-based gold smuggling syndicate involved in smuggling foreign-origin
gold from the North Eastern region to Delhi using multiple carriers travelling by different trains. The
syndicate staggered the movement of carriers to reduce risk of detection. They operated a melting facility
in a densely populated residential area of Delhi.
On 26.06.26, in a meticulously coordinated operation, DRI officers intercepted two carriers at New Cooch
Behar Railway Station, West Bengal and Mansi Junction, Bihar. The persons intercepted by DRI had gold
bars weighing, around 2 kg concealed, on their persons. Simultaneously, two persons were also
apprehended in Delhi along with smuggled gold weighing around 1.2 kg. These interventions led to the
detection of an illicit gold-melting facility in Delhi. All four persons were arrested.
On the same day, in another operation, DRI officials intercepted a female carrier travelling from Sairang to
Kolkata by train and recovered 20 gold bars of foreign origin from her, with markings in a foreign
language, weighing around 3.3 kg. The gold was concealed in a customised waist belt. The passenger was
arrested.
Also, in Chennai, DRI successfully unearthed a major smuggling racket involving illicit movement of
foreign currency through domestic air cargo consignments and its use in financing organised smuggling of
gold and silver into India. DRI officers intercepted consignments at Chennai Air Cargo and recoveredforeign currency comprising USD 7,58,500 and Thai Baht 35,00,000, valued at approximately Rs. 8.15
crore. Three persons involved in the illicit transportation and delivery of the foreign currency have been
apprehended.Further, investigation revealed that the foreign currency was being smuggled out of India
through various conduits and was being used to fund inward smuggling of precious metals back into
country.
Pursuant to the investigation, one such recipient of foreign exchange was intercepted at Bengaluru airport
while coming back from Dubai with 1.8 kg gold, followed by recovery of around 42 kg silver, 700 grams
of gold jewellery and Rs. 26.67 lakh Indian currency from his residence. This establishes a direct
operational link between the illicit procurement of foreign currency in India, its smuggling abroad, and the
organised smuggling of gold and silver back into the country.
In total, around 9 kg of foreign-origin smuggled gold, 42 kg silver, foreign currency valued at 8.15 crore
and Rs 26.67 lakh of Indian currency has been seized in these operations and eight persons have been
arrested.
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SR/KMN
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