DRI busts smuggling racket between Kolkata-Delhi, seizes over 14 crores worth of bullion and cash

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has successfully dismantled a sophisticated gold smuggling network operating between Kolkata and New Delhi. Acting on precise intelligence, officials intercepted a passenger at the New Delhi Railway Station who had arrived from Kolkata with foreign-marked gold. This initial catch led to the apprehension of both the carrier and the receiver waiting outside the station, marking the beginning of a larger multi-city crackdown.

Following the initial arrests, investigators uncovered a clandestine "melting" operation in Delhi designed to erase identifying marks from smuggled gold before selling it in the domestic bullion market. A similar illegal facility was later raided in Kolkata, where the syndicate's mastermind was traced and taken into custody. These units served as critical nodes for processing foreign-origin gold that was transported discreetly via the national railway network.

The extensive operation resulted in the seizure of over 8.28 kg of gold, 7.35 kg of silver, and ₹51.74 lakh in cash, with a cumulative value exceeding ₹14.13 crore. Six key individuals, including the mastermind, carriers, and facility managers, have been arrested under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962. All accused have been produced before a competent court as the agency continues its probe.