The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has busted a gold smuggling syndicate, seizing the precious metal valued at Rs 15 crore and arresting 11 persons, including the “mastermind”, officials said on Wednesday, reported news agency PTI.

Preliminary investigations suggest a well-planned conspiracy to smuggle gold into India and sell the refined metal in the grey market, violating import rules and evading government revenue, according to an official, reported PTI.

DRI Mumbai Zonal unit had received information about the gold smuggling and melting syndicate being operated in Mumbai.

Based on it, DRI teams carried out simultaneous searches on Monday at four locations in the city, including two illegal melting units and two unregistered shops.

They found a fully functional unit, where smuggled gold was being melted and converted into wax and other forms like bars, the official said, reported PTI.

A total of 6.35 kg of gold was seized from the melting units, and those operating the furnaces were apprehended.

Follow-up searches at two shops linked to the “mastermind” led to the recovery of another 5.53 kg of gold bars, the official said.

In all, the DRI seized 11.88 kg of 24-carat gold valued at Rs 15.05 crore, along with 8.72 kg of silver valued at Rs 13.17 lakh, he said, reported PTI.

The 11 arrested persons comprise the “mastermind”, who is a known offender involved in previous smuggling cases, his father, a manager, four hired melters, an accountant, and three delivery persons, the official said, reported PTI.

All the accused have been produced before a court and sent to judicial custody.

Narcotics and gold valued over Rs 13 cr seized at Mumbai airport; six arrested

In another case, customs officials have seized narcotics and gold valued at Rs 13.84 crore during operations conducted between November 6 and 9 at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA) in Mumbai, reported PTI.

Six passengers arriving from various international destinations were arrested in connection with the seizures, an official said on Monday.

Acting on specific intelligence and passenger profiling, Mumbai Customs officers intercepted multiple travellers arriving from Bangkok, Phuket, and Nairobi.

On November 6, a passenger arriving from Bangkok was intercepted with 2.873 kg of suspected hydroponic weed valued at Rs 2.87 crore. On November 7, two passengers from Phuket were intercepted while carrying 4.022 kg of hydroponic weed worth Rs 4.02 crore. On Saturday, two more passengers from Bangkok were held with 3.999 kg of the same substance, valued at Rs 3.99 crore, reported PTI.

Another passenger from Bangkok was found carrying 2.946 kg of hydroponic weed worth Rs 2.94 crore, officials said.

In a separate case on the same day, Customs officers seized 358 grams of 22-carat gold in melted form, valued at Rs 37.74 lakh, from a passenger arriving from Nairobi, reported PTI.

The narcotics, concealed inside trolley bags, were seized under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. The gold was confiscated under the provisions of the Customs Act.

Further investigations are underway to determine possible links to international smuggling networks, officials added.

(With inputs from PTI)

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