Smuggling incidents, especially of gold and drugs, have rapidly increased in the past few days across India. Another incident of gold smuggling has been reported in Gujarat, being one of the biggest seizures in recent times. The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has seized 48.20 kg of gold paste worth Rs 25 crore at Surat International Airport from three passengers travelling from Sharjah, said an official release. Gujarat | As a part of Operation Goldmine, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has seized 48 kgs of gold paste at Surat International Airport. This is one of the biggest gold seizures at airports in recent times: DRI pic.twitter.com/2r0rZ7uugS— ANI (@ANI) July 9, 2023The DRI said that it busted a smuggling syndicate by arresting the four persons. Official statementsA release issued by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence said, ” Based on specific intelligence, officers of DRI intercepted three passengers arriving from Sharjah by Air India Express Flight No. IX172 at Surat International Airport on July 7 suspected to be carrying gold in paste form to be smuggled into India.”The officials found 43.5 kg of gold in paste form concealed in 20 white colour packets hidden in five black belts in their baggage.How did the three passengers want to execute this planBriefing about the execution plan, the DRI said that the gold was concealed for smuggling into India with the help of officials posted at the Surat international airport, it said.Further, it said, the exchange of gold was planned to be done in a toilet located before the immigration to evade screening and examination by authorities.“Subsequent actions resulted in the further recovery of 4.67 kg of gold in paste form, found abandoned in the mens washroom adjacent to the immigration checkpoint, which was handed over by CISF to DRI,” the release added.Gold seized worth Rs25.26 croreSo far, a total of 48.20 kg of gold paste was recovered from the passengers, in which 42 kg of gold (purity 99 per cent) costs Rs 25.26 crore were seized by the officials.During the interrogation, the statements of the three passengers were recorded under the Customs Act, 1962 and the trio and an official have been arrested, it said.It seems an organised smuggling racket has been operating at the Surat international airport, the DRI said.Further, the investigation is undergoing regarding the same.
