Gold smuggling busted! DRI seizes 8.3 kg gold worth Rs 12.37 crore near India-Bangladesh border

Four persons have been arrested in connection with the alleged smuggling operation, the DRI said.

Acting on intelligence inputs, DRI officers mounted surveillance along the Indo-Bangladesh border and, on October 5, intercepted four individuals travelling on two motorcycles on the route from Chowdhurihat near the international border to Cooch Behar.

A personal search of the suspects led to the recovery of gold biscuits concealed in specially tailored cloth waist belts worn by two of them.

A total of 72 gold biscuits, each weighing 116 grams, were recovered from the four individuals.

The foreign-origin gold, weighing approximately 8.3 kg and valued at around Rs 12.37 crore, was seized under the relevant provisions of the Customs Act, 1962. All four accused were arrested in connection with the case.

Further investigation is underway.

The operation followed prolonged and discreet surveillance by DRI officials along the Indo-Bangladesh border in Cooch Behar district.

The DRI said it remains committed to dismantling organised gold-smuggling networks operating through cross-border corridors and identifying the wider syndicates involved in the movement and distribution of smuggled gold.