The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has busted a trans-border gold smuggling syndicate operating from Delhi and seized 15 kilograms of foreign-origin smuggled gold worth around 21 crore forty lakh rupees. According to the DRI, officers intercepted an international courier consignment from Thailand at the Delhi Courier Terminal. The parcel, declared as worn gear, was addressed to a firm linked to a foreign national.

During a detailed examination, officials recovered eight disc-shaped gold pieces weighing one-and-a-half kilograms each, cleverly concealed inside gear parts. Simultaneous searches at the residence of the intended recipient and the alleged mastermind led to the recovery of two more identical gold discs weighing three kilograms. Four people, including the alleged mastermind, a repeat offender, and a foreign national, have been arrested in connection with the case. Preliminary investigations have revealed that cryptocurrency was being used to transfer money across borders to finance the smuggling racket.