By Shishir Prashant 
PrashantNews
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has seized more than 27 kg of foreign-origin smuggled gold and arrested 12 people in a series of intelligence-led operations across the country, exposing sophisticated smuggling methods ranging from aircraft lavatories and specially fabricated vehicle cavities to body concealment.
The biggest seizure was made at Mumbai Airport, where DRI officials intercepted three passengers arriving from Addis Ababa on July 23-24. Following an extensive search of the aircraft, officers recovered 12 kg of gold bars hidden inside the ceiling panels of the rear aircraft lavatory. Investigators said the passengers had concealed the gold for later retrieval by airport staff. All three were arrested, officials said on Saturday.
In another operation at Mumbai Airport on July 22-23, DRI unearthed a smuggling racket involving 3.7 kg of gold dust in wax form concealed in an aircraft lavatory and allegedly retrieved by compromised aircraft cleaning staff. Five persons, including the carrier, cleaning staff, handler and recipient, were arrested.
In Uttar Pradesh, DRI officers intercepted a woman travelling on the Brahmaputra Mail on July 23 and recovered 5 kg of foreign-origin gold bars concealed in a waist belt and her handbag. During questioning, she admitted that the gold had been smuggled into India through Bangladesh. She was arrested.
In a separate operation at Kolkata Railway Station on July 19-20, officers seized 4.6 kg of foreign-origin gold concealed inside specially fabricated utensils. The investigation revealed that the consignment had been smuggled into India through Myanmar, and the passenger was arrested.
Further seizures were made at Cochin and Guwahati, where DRI recovered around 2 kg of foreign-origin gold. At Cochin Airport, the gold was concealed inside the body of a passenger arriving from Dubai, while in Guwahati, gold biscuits were found hidden in a specially fabricated cavity inside a car. Two persons were arrested in these operations.
According to the DRI, the coordinated operations underscore the evolving tactics adopted by organised gold smuggling syndicates and the agency’s continued efforts to dismantle such networks across the country.