The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has seized 5.832 kilograms of foreign-origin gold valued at approximately ₹8.98 crore in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, and arrested two people suspected of transporting the consignment.
According to a report published by The420.in on October 12, 2026, the seizure followed an intelligence-led operation during the intervening night of October 8 and 9. DRI officials intercepted a private car travelling along a national highway after receiving information about the suspected movement of foreign-origin gold.
A search of the vehicle reportedly uncovered three packages of gold concealed in a specially modified compartment beneath the front passenger seat.
How the DRI Intercepted the Vehicle in Visakhapatnam
The operation began after intelligence inputs reportedly alerted officials to a vehicle travelling from Kolkata towards southern India.
DRI personnel monitored the vehicle's movement and subsequently intercepted it on the highway in the Visakhapatnam area.
The initial inspection did not reveal any obvious irregularities inside the passenger cabin. However, a more detailed examination reportedly led investigators to a concealed cavity beneath the front passenger seat.
Officials recovered three packages containing a combined 5,832 grams of gold from the compartment. The gold, the vehicle and the two occupants were taken into custody as part of the operation, according to the report.
The alleged concealment method is now among the details investigators are examining as they work to establish how the consignment was transported.
Gold Allegedly Moved Through Kolkata Towards Hyderabad
Preliminary inquiries reportedly indicated that the foreign-origin gold had entered India through the international border with Bangladesh before being transported through eastern India.
Investigators are examining a suspected route through Kolkata and onward by road towards Hyderabad, the reported intended destination of the consignment.
The findings remain subject to further investigation. The precise circumstances in which the gold entered India, the people involved in its movement and the intended recipient will need to be established through the relevant evidence and official proceedings.
The seizure highlights the role of intelligence-led enforcement in detecting suspected smuggling activity along domestic transport routes.
Investigators Examine the Suspected Smuggling Network
Following the recovery, investigators are reportedly working to identify other people who may have arranged, financed or facilitated the transportation of the gold.
The inquiry is expected to examine vehicle records, communication details and possible links between the individuals detained and a wider distribution network.
Authorities will also need to establish the origin of the bullion, the circumstances of its import and whether any customs or other legal requirements were violated.
The identities of the two arrested individuals have not been disclosed in the supplied report. Their alleged involvement and any potential links to other suspects remain matters for investigation.
Why Foreign-Gold Smuggling Investigations Matter
Suspected gold-smuggling cases can involve complex transportation arrangements and multiple intermediaries. Establishing the route of a consignment may therefore require investigators to examine both physical evidence and financial or communication records.
Seizures can interrupt the movement of suspected contraband, while follow-up inquiries may help authorities identify the people responsible for organising its transportation.
In this case, the reported recovery of 5.832 kilograms of foreign-origin gold valued at ₹8.98 crore forms the central evidence described in the initial account. The broader network, the source of the shipment and its intended destination remain important questions for investigators.
What Happens Next?
The DRI's continuing inquiry is expected to focus on tracing the consignment's movement and establishing the roles of the people connected to it.
Further official information may clarify the legal basis of the seizure, the status of the arrests and whether additional individuals are suspected of involvement.
Until those details are confirmed, the reported route and suspected network should be treated as preliminary investigative findings rather than established conclusions.