The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence`s (DRI) Mumbai and Varanasi units have taken into custody five individuals who were found in possession of 13.7 kilograms of illicitly smuggled gold valued at Rs 8.5 crore, according to an official statement on Thursday.

According to the report in PTI, the DRI`s Mumbai unit apprehended three members of a gold smuggling syndicate, while the agency`s Varanasi unit detained two individuals involved in the same operation.

The syndicate was attempting to smuggle gold using both land and railway routes, the report quoted an official as saying. Acting on specific information, the DRI Mumbai team intercepted two individuals transporting illicit gold by bus near Pune on Monday, he said.

“The syndicate was attempting to smuggle gold via the land and railway route. Based on specific information, the DRI Mumbai team intercepted two persons carrying smuggled gold by bus near Pune on Monday. A total of 5 kilograms of gold was recovered from their possession,” he said.

While conducting subsequent investigations, the DRI team got information about a handler residing in a village in the Sangli district. A search of his residence on Tuesday morning revealed details about two more carriers affiliated with the same syndicate who were engaged in smuggling gold from Varanasi to Nagpur, the report cited the official saying.

“During the investigation, the DRI team got information about a handler based out of a village in Sangli district. His home was searched on Tuesday morning, which led to information about two more carriers of the same syndicate who were involved in smuggling gold from Varanasi to Nagpur,” the official added.

This information was promptly conveyed to the DRI Varanasi team, which took action and successfully intercepted the two carriers, resulting in the seizure of an additional 8.7 kilograms of illicitly smuggled gold.

In another incident, the Mumbai Crime Branch arrested five persons of an interstate gang who allegedly cheated job aspirants by promising them work in foreign countries and collecting money, stated a report in PTI. 

Per the complainant, the accused set up placement offices in various parts of the city and collected their passports. They added that the accused had promised jobs in Azerbaijan, Oman, Dubai, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Russia and took as many as Rs 40,000 to Rs 60,000 from each person. The accused sent them falsified appointment letters, alleged the complainants. 

With PTI inputs

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