DRI arrests five at Indore airport in alleged Abu Dhabi gold smuggling case

Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): A foreign-origin gold bar weighing 748.10 grams was seized by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) from two persons at Katni Junction railway station. A total of 969 grams of smuggled gold worth around Rs 1.39 crore was recovered and three people were arrested. The two accused were intercepted based on specific intelligence while travelling from Howrah Railway Station on the Howrah–CSMT Mumbai Mail (Train No. 12321). The gold had been concealed in a specially made cloth waist belt and was being transported to a Katni-based jeweller.In a follow-up search at the jeweller's premises, DRI officers recovered another 220.9 grams of foreign-origin gold.Overall, DRI seized 969 grams of smuggled gold, valued at approximately Rs 1.39 crore, and arrested all three accused under the Customs Act, 1962.DRI said it remains committed to safeguarding India's national and economic security. EOW Raids MY Hospital Pharmacist's Properties In Indore; Assets 108% Above Disclosed IncomeThe agency also highlighted its role in the Government of India's Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan, under which it has recently seized large quantities of methamphetamine, heroin, cannabis, hydroponic weed, and poppy straw in intelligence-based operations.Indore Airport Gold Smuggling BustThe operation came after the DRI busted a major gold smuggling racket at Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport in Indore under Operation Aero-Bridge, where 1.02 kg of 24-carat gold worth around Rs 1.44 crore was seized. Five people, including an Air India Express employee, were arrested for allegedly smuggling gold from Abu Dhabi by disguising it as silver-coated kadas to avoid detection.Read full story below :Abu Dhabi Passenger Carrying ₹1.4 Crore Gold Bangles Polished As Silver To Evade Security Caught At Indore Airport

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence busted an international gold smuggling syndicate. Five individuals were arrested, including airport and customs employees. Smuggled gold was passed through an aerobridge to avoid security checks. Officials seized over one kilogram of foreign-origin gold worth Rs 1.44 crore. Further investigations are ongoing to uncover additional syndicate links.

Indore (Madhya Pradesh): The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) foiled a gold smuggling racket at Devi Ahilyabai Holkar Airport on Tuesday. The agency seized 1.02 kg of gold worth approximately Rs 1.44 crore from the Abu Dhabi–Indore flight under Operation Aero-Bridge.According to official information shared on Wednesday, close monitoring and surveillance by the DRI indicated that some airport officials were helping the syndicate smuggle gold.Unique Smuggling MethodThe modus operandi adopted by the syndicate was unique. Passengers (carriers) bringing foreign-origin gold from Abu Dhabi would hand over the smuggled gold to an Air India Express employee at the aerobridge after deboarding the aircraft, before entering the Customs arrival area. The Air India Express employee would then descend from the aerobridge to the tarmac using the stairs, bypassing Immigration and Customs, and hand over the smuggled gold to syndicate members waiting outside the airport.Acting on the intelligence, DRI officers kept discreet surveillance outside the airport on August 3, 2026. After some time, a blue Hyundai car carrying two syndicate members entered the airport premises and stopped a short distance from the arrival point. Shortly afterwards, a person dressed in the official Air India Express uniform approached the car and handed over a packet to the occupants.Immediately after receiving the packet, the car sped towards the airport exit. DRI officers swiftly intercepted the vehicle after strategically cordoning off the exit road. Hid Bangles In Glove BoxA detailed search of the vehicle led to the recovery of two silver-coloured metal bangles from the glove box. Upon rubbing the outer surface of the bangles against a hard surface, officers found that they were actually made of gold and coated with a layer of silver to conceal their true nature and evade detection by Customs authorities.Scorpio Breaches Security, Speeds Across Gwalior Railway Station Platform | VIDEOAirport Staff, Customs Official Among AccusedDRI officers subsequently identified and intercepted the passenger who had carried the gold from Abu Dhabi. The Air India Express employee allegedly involved in assisting the syndicate was also identified and detained.Detailed questioning of the accused revealed that an Executive Assistant with Indore Customs was also helping the syndicate smuggle foreign-origin gold into India.A total of 1.02 kg (net weight) of 24-carat gold, concealed in the form of two silver-coloured metallic kadas and valued at approximately Rs 1.44 crore, was seized. All five accused were arrested under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962.Further investigation is underway.Madhya Pradesh High Court Grants Bail To Former RTO Constable Saurabh Sharma In Money Laundering Case