Gold smuggling racket busted at Bengaluru airport, 5 arrested
Bengaluru (PTI): The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has busted a major international gold smuggling syndicate operating through Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru following a coordinated operation, according to an official statement.
Five people have been arrested so far in connection with the case and efforts are underway to identify the key masterminds and dismantle the entire network, officials said.
Acting on specific intelligence inputs, officers of the DRI’s Bengaluru Zonal Unit mounted surveillance at Terminal 2 of the airport, leading to the interception of a network involving foreign nationals and local facilitators.
The operation, conducted over April 6 and 7, culminated in the seizure of 3.356 kg of high-purity gold worth about Rs 5 crore in paste form.
“The officers of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Bengaluru Zonal Unit, have successfully busted a major international gold smuggling syndicate operating through Kempegowda International Airport (KIAL), Bengaluru,” the agency said in a press release.
Officials said the contraband was ingeniously concealed in paste form inside capsule-shaped packets, highlighting the sophisticated methods adopted by the syndicate.
Investigations revealed that carriers arriving from abroad deliberately chose Bengaluru as a transit point, exploiting longer layovers to facilitate covert transfers within the airport premises.
“The gold was concealed on the body and transferred using a pre-arranged passcode system inside sensitive areas such as washrooms and smoking zones, thereby bypassing Customs scrutiny,” the statement said.
The use of coded exchanges within restricted zones enabled the syndicate to evade routine checks, it said, adding that the probe also uncovered insider involvement within the airport ecosystem.
“The syndicate had further infiltrated the airport ecosystem, with the involvement of an insider who misused authorised access to restricted zones to receive and smuggle out the contraband,” the DRI said.
The operation also revealed the use of encrypted communication platforms featuring coded messages and disappearing chats.
Authorities said preliminary investigations indicate the involvement of a wider international network.
“Preliminary investigation indicates that the network is part of a larger cross-border smuggling syndicate involving foreign operatives, suspected to be Bangladeshi nationals, working in tandem with domestic handlers and facilitators,” the DRI said.
Officials said the case reflects the increasing sophistication of smuggling operations and reiterated that the agency remains committed to curbing such organised economic offences.
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BJP flags ‘suspicious’ circumstances in Kerala trekker Sharanya case, seeks probe
Madikeri (Karnataka) (PTI): The BJP on Wednesday demanded a thorough investigation into the case of Kerala trekker GS Sharanya, who went missing for three days and was later found.
Members of the BJP’s Kodagu unit lodged a complaint at the Napoklu police station, seeking a probe and stating that the case appeared suspicious.
Sharanya, who had gone on a trek to Tadiandamol hill near Kakkabbe, went missing and was later found on Sunday following a search operation by the police, forest department, and residents.
Kodagu BJP leader P Danoj submitted a complaint to the Station House Officer, seeking a proper investigation into the case.
Speaking on the occasion, he said the behaviour of Sharanya, who was found on the fourth day, had raised suspicions.
“It is impossible for anyone to survive in a dense forest for four days without food. Naxal activities are taking place in several areas, and this case has further raised suspicion,” he said.
He demanded that the police conduct a thorough investigation and inform the public of the truth.
Napoklu BJP Shakti Kendra president Ambikaryappa alleged that Sharanya’s disappearance could be a "publicity stunt".
“It appears to be a drama aimed at tarnishing the tourism prospects of our district. Moreover, it is suspicious that Sharanya, who was in the dense forest for four days, was found without any signs of fatigue,” Ambikaryappa said.
