New Delhi, Mar 15: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has busted an organised gold smuggling and illegal melting racket operating between Delhi and Kolkata, seizing gold, silver and cash worth ₹14.13 crore and arresting six persons involved in the network.
According to officials, the operation uncovered a syndicate engaged in smuggling foreign-origin gold into India, transporting it through rail routes, melting it at illegal facilities to erase identifying marks, and then selling it in the domestic bullion market.
In total, the DRI seized 8,286.81 grams of gold valued at ₹13.41 crore, 7,350.4 grams of silver worth ₹19.67 lakh, and Indian currency amounting to ₹51.74 lakh under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962.
The crackdown began after DRI officers acted on specific intelligence and intercepted a passenger arriving from Kolkata by train at New Delhi Railway Station. The passenger was carrying foreign-marked gold intended for delivery to a receiver waiting outside the station. Both the carrier and the recipient were apprehended on the spot.
Subsequent searches in Delhi led to the discovery of an illegal gold melting facility where smuggled gold was being melted to remove foreign markings before being sold in the local market. Additional quantities of gold, silver and cash were recovered from the premises, and the facility’s manager was also taken into custody.
Further investigation led officials to Kolkata, where the alleged mastermind of the syndicate was traced to another illegal melting unit. Authorities recovered more defaced gold from the location and arrested the kingpin along with two carriers.
Investigators said the accused admitted that foreign-marked gold smuggled into India was melted to remove identifying marks and then transported by train to Delhi for distribution in the local bullion market.
All six accused have been arrested under the provisions of the Customs Act and produced before a competent court. Officials said further investigation into the racket is underway.
