DRI Cracks Down on Gold Smuggling, Seizes ₹17.29 Crore in Bengaluru Bust

In a major breakthrough against gold smuggling, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) successfully uncovered a significant operation, seizing 14.2 kg of foreign-origin gold valued at ₹12.56 crore at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru. The operation, based on precise intelligence, led to the interception of a 33-year-old Indian woman who had arrived from Dubai on an Emirates flight on March 3, 2025. The gold bars were skillfully concealed on her person, but the vigilance of DRI officers ensured the contraband did not make its way into illegal circulation.

Further investigations led the authorities to her residence on Lavelle Road, where she lived with her husband. A search of the premises uncovered additional assets linked to the smuggling network, including gold jewelry worth ₹2.06 crore and ₹2.67 crore in Indian currency. The total seizure in the case now stands at a staggering ₹17.29 crore, marking a significant victory in the ongoing battle against organized gold smuggling networks.

The woman has been taken into custody under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962, and has been remanded to judicial custody. The scale of the seizure makes it one of the most substantial gold hauls at Bengaluru International Airport in recent times, highlighting the relentless efforts of DRI officials in curbing the illicit gold trade. Their swift action not only prevented a major financial crime but also dealt a heavy blow to those attempting to exploit loopholes in the system for illegal gains.