Mumbai/Bengaluru: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has sought the assistance of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) to probe a larger conspiracy involving a coordinated gold smuggling syndicate operating from Dubai. The investigation also aims to determine the potential involvement of government officials in the illicit trade.
Gold Smuggling Crackdown: Arrests Made at Airports
The DRI’s move to involve the CBI follows the arrest of Kannada actor Ranya Rao at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport on March 3 for attempting to smuggle 14.2 kg of gold worth ₹12.56 crore. A subsequent search of her residence led to the recovery of gold jewellery worth ₹2.06 crore and Indian currency amounting to ₹2.67 crore.
In a related case, on March 6, the DRI intercepted two foreign nationals from Oman and the UAE at Mumbai’s international airport. The duo was caught smuggling 21.28 kg of gold valued at ₹18.92 crore. Investigators noted that these passengers had a history of frequent international travel, including multiple trips to Dubai.
CBI Registers FIR for Deeper Investigation
On March 7, the CBI registered an FIR after receiving a formal complaint from Additional Director, DRI, Abhishek Chandra Gupta. In his report, Gupta highlighted that the back-to-back cases of gold smuggling, involving both Indian and foreign nationals, indicated the existence of an organized smuggling network.
Links to Dubai-Based Syndicate and Possible Govt Official Involvement
According to DRI officials, the gold smuggling operations appear to be highly coordinated, with a structured network facilitating illegal imports from Dubai to India. The frequency of these smuggling attempts and the involvement of multiple individuals suggest a well-organized syndicate.
Furthermore, the agency suspects that certain unknown public servants within the Government of India might be complicit in the illegal activities. The involvement of officials could have aided the movement of smuggled gold through key entry points such as Bengaluru and Mumbai airports.
DRI Chief Urges Comprehensive Investigation
Director General, DRI, Abhai Kumar Srivastav has formally written to CBI Director Praveen Sood, emphasizing the seriousness of the issue. Srivastav stressed that the smuggling cases detected within a short span pose national and international security threats, warranting an in-depth probe.
Potential National and International Ramifications
Given the scale of the operation, authorities believe that the smuggling racket extends beyond India’s borders, with deep-rooted links to Dubai-based handlers. The CBI’s investigation will focus on identifying key players, dismantling the smuggling network, and prosecuting individuals involved, including potential government insiders.
Conclusion
The crackdown on gold smuggling has revealed alarming details about the operations of international syndicates and their possible ties with officials. With the CBI now involved, investigators aim to uncover the full extent of the network and hold all guilty parties accountable.
