**Executive Summary**
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) successfully busted a major international gold smuggling syndicate operating between Dubai, Bangladesh, Delhi, and Agartala. Searches conducted at Delhi and Agartala on January 6th, 2026, led to the seizure of foreign-origin gold worth over ₹40 crore and cash worth ₹2.9 crore. Further investigation is in progress.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **DRI Operation:**
* Searches were conducted by DRI at Delhi and Agartala.
* The operation targeted a well-organized international gold smuggling syndicate.
* The syndicate operated between Dubai, Bangladesh, Delhi, and Agartala.
* **Seizure Details:**
* Over 29 kg of foreign-origin gold was seized.
* Cash worth approximately ₹2.90 crore was seized, including Indian and Bangladeshi currency.
* The total value of the seized gold is approximately ₹40 crore.
* The seizures were made under the provisions of the Customs Act.
* **Investigation Findings:**
* The syndicate smuggled gold into India through the Indo-Bangladesh border with Tripura.
* The gold was then transported to Delhi via domestic cargo services.
* Handlers based in Dubai and Bangladesh and local operatives running jewelry shops in Agartala were actively involved.
* **Arrests:**
* Four members of the syndicate have been arrested.
**Impact Analysis**
**DRI**
* **Impact:** DRI has successfully intercepted illicit gold flows, contributing to the safeguard of India’s economic and fiscal stability and ensuring a fair trading environment.
* **Action Required:** Continue further investigation.
**Indian Economy**
* **Impact:** The interception of illicit gold flows contributes to safeguarding economic and fiscal stability and ensuring a fair and transparent trading environment.
* **Action Required:** None mentioned.
**Syndicate Members**
* **Impact:** Arrested and subject to the provisions of the Customs Act.
* **Action Required:** Legal proceedings.
Key Entities Referenced
Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI): The agency that conducted the searches and busted the gold smuggling syndicate.
Customs Act: The legal framework under which the gold and cash were seized.
Delhi: One of the locations where searches were conducted and gold was seized.
Agartala: One of the locations where searches were conducted and gold was seized.
Ministry of Finance: The ministry under which DRI operates.
Ministry of Finance
DRI busts major trans-border gold smuggling
syndicate; seizes gold worth over ₹40 crore and
cash worth ₹2.9 crore
DRI conducted searches at Delhi and Agartala and unearthed
a well-organised international gold smuggling syndicate
operating from Dubai and Bangladesh
प्रव तथ: 07 JAN 2026 6:36PM by PIB Delhi
In a major crackdown on trans-border smuggling, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) conducted
searches at Delhi and Agartala and busted a well-organised international gold smuggling syndicate,
operating from Dubai and Bangladesh. The action led to the seizure of more than 29 kg foreign-origin
gold and cash worth approximately ₹2.90 crore.
Based on specific intelligence, on 6th January 2026, a key syndicate member was apprehended from a
domestic logistics warehouse, while taking delivery of two consignments originating from Agartala,
Tripura. Examination of the consignments led to the recovery of 15 kg of foreign-origin gold, bearing
international refinery markings, valued at approximately ₹20.73 crore.
Simultaneous searches conducted at multiple locations in Delhi and Agartala resulted in the recovery of an
additional 14.2 kg foreign origin gold and ₹2.90 crore in cash, including Indian and Bangladeshi currency.Thus, a total of 29.2 kg gold, valued at approx. ₹40 crore, and cash amount of ₹2.9 crore have been
seized under the provisions of Customs Act. Further, four members of the syndicate have been arrested.Investigation has revealed that the syndicate was smuggling gold into India through the Indo–Bangladesh
border with Tripura, and subsequently transporting it to Delhi through domestic cargo services with the
active connivance of handlers based in Dubai, Bangladesh and local operatives running jewellery shops in
Agartala.
By intercepting illicit gold flows, DRI continues to safeguard India’s economic and fiscal stability, and
ensure a fair and transparent trading environment.
Further investigation is in progress.
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NB/KMN
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