Recently, the operation, code-named GOLDEN DAWN by the Directorate Of Revenue Intelligence resulted in the seizure of Smuggled Gold Worth Several Crores Across the country.
Yesterday, the Air Intelligence Unit of Hyderabad Customs, in collaboration with Airport Customs officers, made a significant discovery at the Rajiv Gandhi International Airport (RGIA) in Hyderabad.
On Wednesday, based on passenger profiling and intelligence developed by Customs, 23 Sudanese nationals who arrived from Sudan via Sharjah on flight G9 458 were intercepted and searched.
During the search, customs officials discovered that the passengers had hidden gold in various places, including small cavities in their shoes, under their feet, and in the folds of their clothing.
In total, 14.9063 kilograms of gold were found, consisting of 14.415 kilograms of 22 karat gold and 0.491 kilograms of 24 karat gold, with a combined value of Rs. 7,89,43,544/-.
Four individuals were arrested based on the amount of gold found in their possession.
This seizure is one of the largest gold busts in recent times by Hyderabad Customs at RGIA. Further investigation is ongoing.
DRI Busts Pan-India Gold Smuggling Syndicate Operated By Sudanese
It should be noted that recently the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has conducted a pan-India operation and busted a gold smuggling syndicate run by Sudanese nationals who operated through the Nepal border.
Two days back, the DRI seized a total of 101.7 kg of smuggled gold worth around ₹51 crore in different interceptions in Patna, Pune, and Mumbai.
The seized gold was being transported via the Indo-Nepal border to Patna and then further transported via train or air to Mumbai and other parts of the country.
The Chronicles Of Interceptions
- In the first interception, DRI officials arrested three Sudanese nationals at Patna Railway Station on 19.02.2023.
- They were carrying gold paste weighing 37.126 kg in 40 packets, ingeniously concealed in specially made cavities of sleeveless jackets worn by them.
- The third person was coordinating the smuggling activity at the border area and arranging the transport of the smuggled gold.
- In the second interception, two Sudanese women were arrested in Pune on 20.02.2023 while traveling from Hyderabad to Mumbai via bus.
- They were carrying 5.615 kg of smuggled gold in assorted forms, concealed in their handbags.
- In the third interception, two Sudanese nationals were arrested at Mumbai Railway Station on 20.02.2023.
- They were traveling to Mumbai from Patna, carrying gold paste weighing 38.76 kg in 40 packets, similarly concealed in specially made cavities in their sleeveless jackets.
In a follow-up action, DRI officers recovered approximately 20.2 kg of smuggled gold in assorted forms, along with ₹74 lakh worth of foreign currency and ₹63 lacks Indian currency from different premises in Mumbai that were being used for the extraction/storage of smuggled gold.
Three people were apprehended in this action.
The DRI has previously uncovered various novel methods used by smugglers to bring foreign origin gold into India.
Such as smuggling from the northeastern part of the country, either through courier or logistics companies, using concealment methods in vehicles or in person via bus, train, flight, etc., or recovering gold from the sea bed in Tamil Nadu Coast, after it was thrown by smugglers from a fishing boat.
This operation, code-named Golden Dawn, resulted in the seizure of approximately 101.7 kg of gold worth ₹51 crores, along with foreign and Indian currency, and the arrest of seven Sudanese and three Indian nationals.
The investigation is ongoing.
