DRI seizes 29 kg of foreign-origin gold from Agartala & Delhi

Agartala: In a coordinated operation in Delhi and Agartala, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has dismantled an alleged international gold smuggling syndicate believed to be operating from Bangladesh and Dubai, officials from Tripura home department said on Thursday.The operation led to the seizure of over 29 kg of foreign-origin gold valued at over Rs 40 crore, along with cash amounting to Rs 2.9 crore, discovered at two locations. The team recovered approximately 14.2 kg of gold biscuits, worth around Rs 19 crore and Rs 2.87 crore in Indian currency from Shantipara and Dhaleshwar in Agartala.Reports indicate that a suspected member of the syndicate was detained on Jan 6 in Delhi while receiving two shipments from Agartala at a domestic logistics facility, based on specific intelligence. Upon inspection, officials uncovered 15 kg of foreign-origin gold, featuring international refinery markings, estimated to be worth Rs 20.73 crore. DRI investigations suggest that the syndicate utilised domestic cargo services to smuggle gold into India via the India-Bangladesh border in Tripura, subsequently distributing it to Delhi.The operation involved handlers from Bangladesh and Dubai, as well as local employees managing jewellery stores in Agartala.