Ministry of Finance press release · 9 April 2026 · pibtracker filter

DRI Mumbai busts gold smuggling syndicate in Op Dhahabu Blitz; approx. 30 kg gold worth ₹38 crore seized, 24 women carriers arrested

PRID2250630 MinistryMinistry of Finance Released Reading6 min

Posted On: 09 APR 2026 10:22PM by PIB Delhi In a major crackdown on organised gold smuggling, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), has busted a syndicate, seizing 29.37 kg of gold valued at Rs 37.74 crore and arresting 24 carriers. Acting on specific intelligence, DRI officers identified a group of female carriers arriving from Nairobi attempting to smuggle large quantities of gold through Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International (CSMI) Airport, Mumbai, yesterday. Under Operation Dhahabu Blitz, 24 foreign nationals were intercepted. Swift and coordinated enforcement action led to the recovery of 25.10 kg gold bars and 4.27 kg gold jewellery from these passengers. The case reveals a highly organised syndicate using trained carriers and coordinated methods to evade detection. DRI remains committed to dismantling such gold smuggling networks that undermine the country’s economic and fiscal systems and threaten national interests. **** NB/KMN (Release ID: 2250630) Visitor Counter : 17789 Read this release in: Urdu , हिन्दी , Marathi Ministry of Finance DRI Mumbai busts gold smuggling syndicate in Op Dhahabu Blitz; approx. 30 kg gold worth ₹38 crore seized, 24 women carriers arrested Posted On: 09 APR 2026 10:22PM by PIB Delhi In a major crackdown on organised gold smuggling, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), has busted a syndicate, seizing 29.37 kg of gold valued at Rs 37.74 crore and arresting 24 carriers. Acting on specific intelligence, DRI officers identified a group of female carriers arriving from Nairobi attempting to smuggle large quantities of gold through Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International (CSMI) Airport, Mumbai, yesterday. Under Operation Dhahabu Blitz, 24 foreign nationals were intercepted. Swift and coordinated enforcement action led to the recovery of 25.10 kg gold bars and 4.27 kg gold jewellery from these passengers. The case reveals a highly organised syndicate using trained carriers and coordinated methods to evade detection. DRI remains committed to dismantling such gold smuggling networks that undermine the country’s economic and fiscal systems and threaten national interests. **** NB/KMN (Release ID: 2250630) <span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><span style="font-size:16px">In a major crackdown on organised gold smuggling, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), has busted a syndicate, seizing 29.37 kg of gold valued at Rs 37.74 crore and arresting 24 carriers.</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><span style="font-size:16px">Acting on specific intelligence, DRI officers identified a group of female carriers arriving from Nairobi attempting to smuggle large quantities of gold through Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International (CSMI) Airport, Mumbai, yesterday.</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><span style="font-size:16px">Under Operation Dhahabu Blitz, 24 foreign nationals were intercepted. Swift and coordinated enforcement action led to the recovery of 25.10 kg gold bars and 4.27 kg gold jewellery from these passengers.</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><span style="font-size:16px"><img src="https://static.pib.gov.in/WriteReadData/userfiles/image/image001GAC6.jpg" style="height:450px; width:582px" /></span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman",Times,serif; font-size:16px">The case reveals a highly organised syndicate using trained carriers and coordinated methods to evade detection.</span></p> <p style="text-align:justify"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><span style="font-size:16px">DRI remains committed to dismantling such gold smuggling networks that undermine the country’s economic and fiscal systems and threaten national interests.</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:center"><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><span style="font-size:16px">****</span></span></p> <p style="text-align:justify"><strong><span style="font-family:Times New Roman,Times,serif"><span style="font-size:16px">NB/KMN</span></span></strong></p> <p style="text-align:justify">&nbsp;</p> " /> var mPlayer = document.getElementById("background_music"); 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