Rs 80 crore gold seizure: Link to Kannada actor Ranya Rao's smuggling case?

Gujrat: In a big raid, the DRI in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, has confiscated 88 kg of gold bars and high-end watches worth more than Rs 80 crore. Besides this, gold and studded jewellery smuggled in have also been seized. Is there any link of this case with Kannada actor Ranya Rao? Know the complete story and entire information about this DRI raid.

Edited By: Nishika Jha

Last Updated : 19 March 2025, 06:37 PM IST

Gold bars seized in Gujarat (File)

Gujarat: During a big operation, Ahmedabad (Gujarat) DRI (Directorate of Revenue Intelligence) has recovered 88 kg gold bars and 19.66 kg studded jewellery. In this raid, once again a massive revelation of gold smuggling and illegal trade has come to light. This time, the DRI raided a flat in Paldi area of Ahmedabad from where these goods were confiscated.

The joint team of DRI and Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad

Treasure trove of gold, luxury watches confiscated in DRI raid The joint team of DRI and Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) searched the flat on March 17. In the search operations, 87.92 kg of gold bars worth Rs 80 crore are estimated to be recovered. The speciality is that these bars have foreign marks engraved on them which show that these gold bars were smuggled into India. Yet another 19.66 kg of jewellery, studded with diamonds and other gems, was also confiscated.

Cash and luxury watches were also recovered.

Eleven luxury watches were also confiscated in the operation. These include brand watches like Patek Philippe, Jacob & Co. and Frank Müller, some of which are studded with diamonds. Cash to the tune of Rs 1.37 crore was also recovered from the flat. All these material are being tested and assessed.

The Ranya Rao's smuggling case related case

The raids are in the wake of a case of gold smuggling by Kannada actor Ranya Rao. On March 3, officials from DRI arrested him at Bengaluru airport while he was attempting to smuggle 14 kg of gold stock worth Rs 12.56 crore. This case created huge headlines in the media. The DRI team had also stopped Ranya Rao earlier on his return from Dubai and now this new case has surfaced.

Other illegal activities also revealed

In addition to this, DRI recently implemented another major move. On March 7, the DRI and Indian Coast Guard (ICG) apprehended 29.954 kg of hashish oil valued at Rs 33 crore from a ship heading to Maldives. The operation was conducted in Tuticorin port in Tamil Nadu where a gang attempted to smuggle hashish oil into the sea.

This move of DRI sends a clear message against smuggling and illegal trade. This move also shows stringent vigilance and determination of the Government to safeguard the sovereignty and integrity of India. This DRI campaign confirms that the government's stand against economic offenses is unyielding.