The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has seized approximately eight kilograms of foreign-origin gold worth more than ₹11.5 crore during a series of operations conducted in West Bengal on October 8 and 9. Six people have been arrested in connection with the seizures, which officials say have exposed an organised gold-smuggling network operating through road and railway routes.
In the first operation, DRI officials intercepted a vehicle at the Dankuni Toll Plaza and recovered 50 gold bars weighing approximately 6.8 kilograms. The seized gold was valued at around ₹10 crore, and some of the gold bars reportedly carried foreign markings.
According to the DRI, the occupants of the vehicle failed to produce valid documents establishing the lawful possession and procurement of the gold. During interrogation, they allegedly admitted that the gold had been smuggled into India from Bangladesh.
In two separate operations, DRI teams intercepted passengers travelling by train at Malda Town and New Jalpaiguri railway stations. Officials recovered more than one kilogram of foreign-origin gold, collectively valued at approximately ₹1.5 crore. The passengers were arrested after failing to provide documentary evidence establishing the lawful source of the gold.
The DRI said the operations revealed the use of multiple transportation routes to move smuggled gold from the Bangladesh border into the country. The seizures indicate that road and railway networks were allegedly being used to transport foreign-origin gold while avoiding lawful customs procedures.
The investigation is expected to focus on identifying the source of the seized gold, the individuals involved in its transportation, and the wider network allegedly responsible for the smuggling activities.
The seizures form part of the DRI’s efforts to combat gold smuggling and prevent the illegal movement of precious metals across India’s borders. Further details regarding the investigation and any additional action against the suspected network may emerge as the proceedings continue.
