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The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence seized approximately 7.8 kg of foreign-origin gold worth more than ₹11.5 crore in operations across West Bengal. Six people were arrested as investigators uncovered suspected smuggling routes linked to the Bangladesh border. (Images: X)
New Delhi: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has seized approximately 7.8 kg of foreign-origin gold valued at more than ₹11.5 crore in a series of intelligence-led operations across West Bengal, arresting six people suspected of involvement in a cross-border smuggling network. The operations uncovered alleged attempts to transport smuggled gold from areas near the Bangladesh border towards major markets, including Kolkata, using road and railway routes. According to DRI, one of those arrested is suspected to be the alleged kingpin of a smuggling syndicate operating in the Banpur border region.
The seizures were carried out at multiple locations, including Dankuni Toll Plaza and two major railway stations in West Bengal, highlighting the routes allegedly used to move foreign-origin gold into domestic markets.
In the first operation, DRI officials intercepted a four-wheeler at Dankuni Toll Plaza in West Bengal. The vehicle was travelling from Banpur, a town near the Bangladesh border towards Kolkata with four people on board. A search of the vehicle and its occupants led to the recovery of 50 gold bars weighing approximately 6.8 kg and valued at nearly ₹10 crore. Some of the bars carried foreign markings. The occupants allegedly failed to produce documents establishing the lawful possession or procurement of the gold, according to officials.
During questioning, the accused reportedly admitted to their involvement in smuggling foreign-origin gold into India through Bangladesh. The DRI said one of the four arrested individuals was suspected of being the key operator of a smuggling syndicate in the Banpur region. The allegations remain subject to the legal process.
In separate operations conducted on the same day, DRI teams intercepted passengers at Malda Town Railway Station and New Jalpaiguri Railway Station. The searches resulted in the recovery of approximately 1 kg of foreign-origin gold, estimated to be worth around ₹1.5 crore. The seized items included gold bangles and bars.
According to officials, the gold was allegedly being transported after being smuggled into India across the Bangladesh border through Tripura. The two passengers were arrested after they reportedly failed to provide valid documents demonstrating the legal procurement of the precious metal. Together, the railway-related seizures accounted for approximately ₹1.5 crore of the total recovery reported by the agency.
The latest enforcement action has drawn attention to suspected gold-smuggling routes connecting border areas with commercial centres in eastern India. Investigators believe road networks and railway corridors can be used to move gold from border regions towards larger markets, making transport hubs important points for intelligence-led checks. The recovery at Dankuni Toll Plaza highlights the role of road surveillance, while the interceptions at Malda Town and New Jalpaiguri railway stations point to the importance of monitoring passenger movements along key rail routes.
The DRI's operations also underscore the alleged use of multiple transit points to move foreign-origin gold through different parts of the region.
The seizure of 7.8 kg of gold valued at more than ₹11.5 crore marks a significant enforcement action against suspected illegal gold transportation in eastern India. By targeting a vehicle allegedly carrying gold towards Kolkata and passengers travelling by train, the agency uncovered suspected movement through both road and railway networks. The arrest of six people, including an alleged syndicate kingpin, could help investigators examine the network's operations and identify other individuals involved, although no further details about the investigation were provided in the supplied statement.
The case highlights the continuing challenge of detecting foreign-origin gold allegedly brought into India without the required documentation and the importance of coordinated enforcement along suspected smuggling corridors.
