The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has conducted a major operation, busting an international gold smuggling syndicate at Mumbai’s Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport. This operation has been named “Operation Golden Sweep.”
In this action, the DRI team recovered 10.5 kilograms of 24-carat foreign gold, valued at approximately ₹12.58 crore. Thirteen individuals have been arrested in this case, including two Bangladeshi nationals, six Sri Lankan citizens, two airport staff (associated with meet-and-greet services), two handlers, and one mastermind.
How was the smuggling carried out?
The investigation revealed that this was an internationally organized syndicate smuggling gold with great cunning. The smugglers used transit passengers traveling from Dubai to Singapore, Bangkok, and Dhaka as carriers.
These passengers would conceal the gold inside oval-shaped capsules made of wax and carry them hidden on their bodies. Upon arrival, these transit passengers would hand over the gold to their associates, airport staff, present in the international departure area. The airport staff would then discreetly move the gold outside to handlers and receivers, who were in further contact with the mastermind.
How did the syndicate’s network operate?
This network was being operated by kingpins based in Mumbai and Dubai. It involved people across multiple layers—transit carriers, airport employees, handlers, and receivers—making it difficult for the police to track them. It also emerged that smuggling syndicates are now recruiting employees working inside sensitive areas like airports into their networks, increasing the internal threat.
The DRI is now investigating other international connections and the money trail of this syndicate. The agency stated that it will continue to take strict action against such smuggling networks to protect the country’s economic security and national interests.
