DRI seizes 3kg gold at RGIA airport

Hyderabad: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence(DRI) intercepted two gold smuggling attempts at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport(RGIA),Shamshabad resulting in the seizure of 3.3 kilograms of foreign-origin gold. The precious yellow metal, valued at Rs 3.36 crore, was concealed in abandoned baggage and an iron box.

Abandoned Baggage leads to arrests

Acting on specific intelligence, DRI officials mounted surveillance at the airport on August 22, 2025. They identified two unclaimed bags suspected to contain smuggled goods. CCTV review confirmed passengers had deliberately abandoned the luggage. Examination revealed 1.26 kg of gold worth Rs 1.25 crore in one bag.

The passenger, who had abandoned the baggage, was traced to Annamayya district, Andhra Pradesh. On 16th September 2025, a DRI team laid a trap and intercepted him when he was travelling to Hyderabad. In his statement, he disclosed the identity of the handler who had given him the baggage in Kuwait and instructed him to abandon it. "Immediate investigation confirmed that the handler had returned to India and was in Kadapa, moving towards Hyderabad. Surveillance was mounted at the nearest toll plaza, where the handler was successfully apprehended on 17, September, 2025. Both individuals admitted to their involvement in gold smuggling," said DRI in a statement.

Iron Box concealment uncovered

The second bag contained an iron box with 2.12 kg of gold valued at Rs 2.11 crore concealed inside. The passenger involved was traced to YSR Kadapa district and intercepted on September 17. This individual also confessed to smuggling. Three accused were arrested under the Customs Act, 1962, and remanded to judicial custody. Investigations continue into potential larger networks.