The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Mumbai, has busted a novel gold smuggling attempt through the international courier route and seized 1.815 kg of foreign-origin gold valued at ₹2.89 crore. Two persons have been arrested in connection with the case.
According to DRI officials, the gold was recovered from a courier consignment that arrived at the International Courier Terminal in Mumbai from Riyadh. The smuggled gold had been ingeniously concealed inside a meat grinding machine to evade detection.
During a detailed examination, DRI officers dismantled the grinder and, upon breaking open its internal gear mechanism, recovered 32 cut pieces of gold of varying sizes hidden inside the equipment. The total weight of the seized gold was 1,815 grams.
The gold, along with the meat grinder used for concealment, has been seized under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962. In a follow-up operation, the DRI apprehended two individuals — one who had come to collect the courier consignment and another who had arranged KYC documents to facilitate the clearance of the shipment.
Officials said the case underscores the increasingly sophisticated methods being employed by gold smuggling syndicates to bypass security checks. The DRI reiterated its commitment to detecting emerging smuggling techniques, dismantling transnational syndicates and protecting the country’s economic interests.
Further investigation is underway.