DRI Seizes 7.8 Kg Gold, Arrests Six in Smuggling Crackdown

DRI Cracks Down on Bangladesh-Linked Gold Smuggling

CNB WORLD TIMES

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has intensified its crackdown on gold smuggling linked to Bangladesh in the eastern region. In intelligence-led operations conducted on October 8 and 9, 2026, DRI officers seized around 7.8 kg of foreign-origin gold worth more than ₹11.50 crore and arrested six people.

The operations exposed a suspected gold smuggling network using road and railway routes to transport gold from border areas to Kolkata and other destinations. The action covered the Banpur border area and railway routes connecting the northeastern region with West Bengal.

50 Gold Bars Seized at Dankuni Toll Plaza

In one operation, DRI officers intercepted a four-wheeler at Dankuni Toll Plaza in West Bengal. The vehicle was travelling from Banpur, near the Bangladesh border, towards Kolkata, carrying four people.

A search of the vehicle and its occupants led to the seizure of 50 gold bars weighing around 6.8 kg. The gold was valued at approximately ₹10 crore. Some of the gold bars bore foreign markings.

According to the DRI, the occupants failed to produce valid documents to establish the lawful possession of the gold. In their statements, they admitted their involvement in smuggling foreign-origin gold into India through Bangladesh.

The alleged kingpin of the smuggling syndicate operating in the Banpur border area was among the four people arrested in this operation.

Gold Seized at Two Railway Stations

In another operation on the same day, DRI teams intercepted passengers at Malda Town Railway Station and New Jalpaiguri Railway Station in West Bengal.

The officers recovered around 1 kg of foreign-origin gold, valued at approximately ₹1.5 crore, from two passengers. The seized gold was in the form of bangles and gold bars.

The passengers failed to produce documents to establish the lawful procurement of the gold and were arrested. The investigation indicated that the seized gold had been made from gold smuggled across the India-Bangladesh border through Tripura.

DRI Targets Organised Gold Smuggling Networks

The operations highlight the use of border areas along Bangladesh and road and railway corridors connecting the northeastern region with major markets such as Kolkata to transport smuggled gold.

The DRI stated that it remains committed to dismantling organised smuggling networks through intelligence-led enforcement and coordinated action.

The two operations resulted in the seizure of more than 7.8 kg of foreign-origin gold worth over ₹11.50 crore and the arrest of six people. Further investigation into the suspected smuggling networks is underway.