Alert DRI teams in Mumbai foiled a high-stakes gold smuggling attempt originating from Saudi Arabia’s capital, Riyadh. Hidden ingeniously inside a meat grinder’s gears were 1.815 kg of gold, amounting to Rs 2.89 crore in value. This dramatic discovery at the international courier hub came after routine checks turned suspicious.
Documents claimed the package contained a standard kitchen tool, but x-rays and manual inspection exposed 32 gold fragments expertly placed to avoid detection. The haul, along with the tainted machine, was seized per Customs Act provisions.
Investigators wasted no time, arresting the parcel claimant and a document forger who enabled its passage. Links to an organized crime ring are emerging, with patterns suggesting repeated use of similar tactics.
Smuggling gangs are adapting rapidly, embedding contraband in daily-use products to slip past security. This case exemplifies DRI’s proactive stance in unraveling these schemes, ensuring India’s borders remain secure against economic sabotage. Ongoing inquiries aim to uproot the entire network.