Date: 2025-11-21Category: Not ApplicableState: Union GovernmentCountry: India
DRI unravels gold smuggling syndicate in Ahmedabad after seizing nearly 1.3 kg 24K gold worth 1.62 crore from a passenger; Four, including airline staff, arrested
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) exposed a gold smuggling syndicate in Ahmedabad, India, leading to the arrest of four individuals, including airline staff. On November 14th, 2025, DRI seized 1246.48 grams of 24K gold, valued at ₹1.62 crore, from a passenger arriving from Jeddah at SVP International Airport, Ahmedabad. The gold was concealed in four capsules wrapped in white tape inside a life jacket pouch. Investigation revealed that the syndicate had smuggled gold consignments worth Rs. 16 crore in more than 10 instances in the past 2 months, with the help of a key coordinator and two airline staff members, including a Senior Executive (security) and an Assistant Manager (security). The operation underscores DRI's unwavering commitment to dismantling organised crime syndicates. The release ID is 2192742 and visitor counter stands at 367. This information was posted on 21 NOV 2025 9:26PM by PIB Delhi.
Key Entities Referenced
Customs Act 1962: Law under which individuals involved in the gold smuggling syndicate were arrested.
Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI): Agency that investigated and exposed the gold smuggling syndicate.
Ahmedabad: Location where the gold smuggling syndicate was operating and the seizure occurred.
Ministry of Finance
DRI unravels gold smuggling syndicate in
Ahmedabad after seizing nearly 1.3 kg 24K
gold worth 1.62 crore from a passenger; Four,
including airline staff, arrested
Syndicate had smuggled gold consignment worth Rs. 16
crore in 10 instances in past two months in connivance
with airline staff
Posted On: 21 NOV 2025 9:26PM by PIB Delhi
Investigating a gold smuggling case, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) exposed a
network following a seizure of gold concealed in an aircraft that had arrived at SVP International
Airport, Ahmedabad.
DRI, had seized 1246.48 grams of 24K gold, valued at ₹1.62 crore, from a passenger arriving on a
flight from Jeddah on 14th November 2025. The gold in four capsules wrapped in white tape was
found ingeniously concealed inside the life jacket pouch beneath a passenger seat.
During subsequent investigation, a person, who also runs a café in Ahmedabad, and claims to be a
Ph.D holder, was identified as a key coordinator responsible for recruiting carriers and managing
operations. In a surprising turn of events, inquiry revealed that two staff members of a reputed
airlines, including a Senior Executive (security) and an Assistant Manager (security), were also
found to be involved in facilitating the smuggling attempt. Inquiry revealed that the syndicate may
have smuggled similar gold consignments worth around Rs. 16 crore in more than 10 instances in the
past 2 months.
Digital evidence and corroborative statements confirm that these individuals were key operators of an
organised smuggling syndicate, and operating in tandem with other perpetrators abroad. All four
individuals involved in the syndicate were placed under arrest as per the provisions of the Customs
Act 1962.
The successful operation by the DRI, underscores the agency's unwavering commitment to
dismantling organised crime syndicates.
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NB/KMN
(Release ID: 2192742) Visitor Counter : 367