Big success to DRI; Gold worth Rs 25 crore seized from Surat airport

Surat: In one of the biggest seizures in recent times, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence has seized 48.2 kg of gold paste, estimated to be worth Rs 25 crore, from three passengers and an official traveling from Sharjah at Surat International Airport in Gujarat. Rs. The DRI said it has busted a smuggling racket by arresting four persons.

“Based on specific intelligence, DRI officials intercepted three passengers arriving from Sharjah by Air India Express flight number IX172 at Surat International Airport on July 7, who were suspected of being smuggled into India,” DRI said in a release. Suspected of carrying gold in the form of paste.” on Sunday. DRI found 43.5 kg of gold in the form of paste in 20 white colored packets concealed in five black belts in his baggage.

It added that the gold was concealed for smuggling into India with the help of officials posted at the Surat International Airport. The DRI said that the plan was made to exchange the gold in a toilet located before the immigration check post to avoid screening and checking by the authorities.

“Subsequent actions resulted in the recovery of 4.67 kg of gold in the form of paste, which was left in the men’s washroom near the immigration check post, which was handed over by CISF to DRI,” it added.

DRI said that a total of 48.20 kg of gold paste recovered from the passengers was recovered and more than 42 kg of gold (99 per cent purity) valued at approximately Rs 25.26 crore was recovered.

The statements of the three passengers were recorded under the Customs Act, 1962 and all three and an official have been arrested, it said without giving further details about the four persons. DRI said, it appears that an organized smuggling racket is operating at Surat International Airport.