The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has cracked down on an organized gold smuggling operation and an illegal melting racket operating in Delhi and Kolkata. The Ministry of Finance stated that the operation resulted in the seizure of gold, silver, and Indian currency, collectively valued at over 14 crore rupees, and the arrest of six individuals. It also stated that over eight kilograms of gold valued at over 13 crore rupees, seven kilograms of silver valued at over 19 lakh rupees, and Indian currency of over 51 lakh rupees were seized during the operation.
The Ministry stated that DRI officers intercepted a passenger who had arrived from Kolkata by train at New Delhi Railway Station, carrying foreign-marked gold intended for delivery to a recipient outside the station. It also stated that, based on the information provided, follow-up searches were conducted in Delhi, which led to the detection of an illegal gold melting facility in Delhi used to deface foreign-origin gold before selling it in the local bullion market. The Ministry also stated that further investigation led to Kolkata, where the mastermind of the syndicate was traced to another illegal melting unit, along with more defaced gold.