Guwahati, June 13: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has busted two organised gold smuggling syndicates operating through eastern and northeastern India, seizing nearly 17 kg of foreign-origin gold worth about Rs 25 crore and arresting 10 people in coordinated operations conducted in Kolkata and Agartala.

According to the Ministry of Finance, the operations were carried out on June 12 and targeted smuggling networks using international air routes and the India-Bangladesh border to bring illicit gold into the country.

In the larger of the two seizures, DRI officials intercepted a syndicate attempting to smuggle 11.6 kg of foreign-origin gold from Thailand through Kolkata airport. Seven people, including a woman, were arrested in connection with the case.
Officials estimated the value of the seized gold at around Rs 17 crore.

In a separate operation in Tripura, DRI officers seized approximately 5.1 kg of foreign-origin gold valued at around Rs 8 crore, which investigators believe was smuggled into India through the Tripura sector of the Indo-Bangladesh border.

Three persons were arrested in the Agartala operation, which was carried out in coordination with the Railway Protection Force (RPF).

The combined seizures amount to nearly 17 kg of smuggled gold worth approximately Rs 25 crore, dealing a significant blow to organised smuggling networks operating in the eastern and northeastern regions.

Officials said investigations are underway to identify the larger networks involved in the cross-border movement and distribution of smuggled gold.

The latest crackdown comes amid heightened enforcement efforts against gold smuggling syndicates that exploit international flight routes and porous border corridors to evade customs duties and illegally channel precious metals into the country.