Mumbai, February 10 The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has busted a clandestine gold melting facility in the Zaveri Bazaar area of South Mumbai and seized 5.8 kg of smuggled yellow metal valued at Rs 9.22 crore, officials said on Tuesday. Two key members of the syndicate were arrested during the operation, which was launched based on specific intelligence about the movement and processing of smuggled gold, DRI officials said. During the surveillance, DRI sleuths intercepted two individuals and recovered 5.8 kg of gold from their possession. Further investigation revealed that the gold was smuggled into India in wax capsule form through Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International (CSMI) Airport by passengers recruited by the syndicate, they said. A follow-up search at the linked melting facility led to the recovery of records documenting smuggled gold transactions and sale proceeds, melting and casting equipment, currency notes used as tokens for the illegal receipt and delivery of gold, and foreign bullion marking dies to convert smuggled gold into foreign-marked bars, the officials stated. The two arrested individuals were booked under the Customs Act, and further investigation in the case was underway, they added.
