Indore: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has dismantled an alleged international gold smuggling syndicate operating through a covert route at Devi Ahilyabai Holkar (DABH) International Airport in Indore, seizing 1.02 kg of 24-carat foreign-origin gold valued at approximately ₹1.44 crore.
The operation, codenamed “Operation AEROBRIDGE,” led to the arrest of five individuals, including an Air India Express employee and an executive assistant attached to Indore Customs, officials said on Wednesday.
According to the DRI, the syndicate employed a sophisticated method to evade airport security and customs checks. Passengers arriving from Abu Dhabi allegedly carried foreign-origin gold and, immediately after disembarking, handed it over to an Air India Express employee waiting inside the aerobridge before entering the customs arrival area.
The airline employee allegedly descended the aerobridge stairs directly onto the airport tarmac, bypassing mandatory immigration and customs screening, before passing the contraband to accomplices waiting outside the terminal.
Following intelligence inputs and surveillance late on Tuesday, DRI officers observed a blue Hyundai car carrying two suspected members of the syndicate near the airport’s arrival area. Shortly afterwards, the Air India Express employee, dressed in official uniform, allegedly delivered a package to the occupants of the vehicle.
As the car attempted to leave the airport, DRI officials intercepted it. A search of the vehicle’s glove compartment led to the recovery of two silver-coloured metal bangles (kadas). Examination revealed that the bangles were made of 24-carat gold coated with a layer of silver, an apparent attempt to evade detection.
Subsequent investigations resulted in the detention of the passenger who had arrived from Abu Dhabi, the airline employee and an executive assistant from Indore Customs, who investigators allege facilitated the smuggling operation.
All five accused have been arrested under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962, while the seized gold has been confiscated. Authorities said further investigations are underway to identify additional members of the network and uncover the full extent of the smuggling operation.
