In one of the latest operations against organised economic crime, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has seized approximately 24 kilograms of foreign-origin gold valued at nearly ₹34 crore and arrested seven alleged smugglers in West Bengal. Authorities believe the seizure is linked to a larger cross-border smuggling network operating along the India-Bangladesh border.
The operation marks another significant enforcement action targeting illegal gold trafficking routes that exploit border regions to move high-value contraband into the domestic market.
Intelligence-Led Operation Leads to Major Seizure
According to officials, the DRI acted on specific intelligence regarding the movement of smuggled gold through Nadia district.
Enforcement teams intercepted seven individuals travelling separately on motorcycles from Krishnanagar towards Chakdaha. During personal searches, officers recovered 180 foreign-marked and defaced gold bars concealed beneath specially designed cloth belts worn around the suspects' waists.
The recovered consignment weighed approximately 24 kilograms, with an estimated market value of ₹34 crore.
Officials stated that the concealment method was intended to evade routine security checks while transporting the gold through the region.
Arrests Made Under Customs Law
The seized gold has been confiscated under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962.
All seven individuals have been arrested, and investigators are continuing their interrogation to determine the full extent of the operation.
Preliminary findings suggest the arrested carriers collected the gold from locations near the India-Bangladesh border before transporting it to another set of operatives responsible for onward distribution within the state.
Investigators are now working to identify:
- The masterminds behind the smuggling network.
- Financial channels supporting the operation.
- Cross-border associates.
- Domestic recipients of the smuggled gold.
- The complete logistics chain used by the syndicate.
Probe Points to Organised International Network
Officials believe the seizure is part of a well-organised international gold smuggling syndicate that illegally moves foreign-origin gold into India through border routes before distributing it across domestic markets.
Investigators expect that questioning of the arrested suspects will provide crucial intelligence regarding additional members of the network, transit corridors, financing methods, and distribution channels.
Authorities are also examining whether the syndicate has links to other organised economic crimes, including hawala transactions and illegal financial networks commonly associated with cross-border smuggling operations.
Enforcement Agencies Intensify Border Surveillance
The latest seizure comes amid increased intelligence-driven enforcement along India's eastern border.
Law enforcement agencies have intensified surveillance, intelligence gathering, and coordinated operations aimed at dismantling organised smuggling networks involved in the illegal movement of gold and other contraband.
Officials indicated that further investigations are ongoing and additional arrests cannot be ruled out as financial and logistical links are traced.
Shunyatax Global Insight
Gold smuggling continues to pose a significant challenge to India's financial and border security ecosystem. Beyond customs duty evasion, organised gold trafficking often intersects with illicit financial flows, money laundering, and transnational criminal networks. Intelligence-led operations such as this not only disrupt illegal supply chains but also help expose the financial infrastructure supporting organised economic crime. As investigators pursue the broader syndicate behind this seizure, financial trail analysis and cross-border cooperation are expected to play a crucial role in dismantling the network.
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