Gold smuggled from Bangladesh seized near Vijayawada; five arrested

Smuggled foreign-origin gold bars | Photo Credit: By Arrangement An interstate gold smuggling operation involving the movement of foreign-origin gold from Bangladesh to Hyderabad in Telangana through Kolkata in West Bengal was busted after Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) officials intercepted a car and a passenger bus near Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh seizing gold and foreign currency collectively valued at ₹5.84 crore and arresting five persons.The operation on Sunday (October 18, 2026) by officers of the Hyderabad Zonal Unit (HZU) and Vijayawada Regional Unit (RU), followed specific intelligence about a gang involved in smuggling gold into India and transporting it to Hyderabad for sale.Two returning after consignment delivery caughtActing on the information, officials intercepted an SUV on the outskirts of Vijayawada. A search of the vehicle revealed a concealed compartment containing US$60,000 and €21,500 in foreign currency. During questioning, the two occupants reportedly admitted that they had delivered a consignment of smuggled gold on the outskirts of Vijayawada and were transporting part of the proceeds from its sale. Foreign currency seized from the concealed compartment from the vehicle. | Photo Credit: By Arrangement Gold concealed around waists of carriers in busBased on information obtained during the interrogation, officials launched a follow-up operation to trace the gold consignment.Three suspected carriers were identified travelling towards Hyderabad aboard a public transport bus. The bus was intercepted at a toll plaza, where officials searched the passengers and recovered three foreign-origin gold bars weighing a total of 3,147.1 grams. The gold bars were concealed inside a pouch tied around the waists of the carriers in an attempt to evade detection during transit.Investigators said the consignment was part of a smuggling network that sourced foreign-origin gold from Bangladesh and routed it through Kolkata before transporting it towards Hyderabad.Five arrested, investigation continuesThe two occupants of the SUV and the three gold carriers were arrested for their involvement in procuring and transporting the contraband.The seized gold and foreign currency were collectively valued at approximately ₹5.84 crore. All five accused were produced before the jurisdictional magistrate and remanded to judicial custody. Further investigation is under way to establish the wider network involved in procuring the smuggled gold, transporting it across States and handling the proceeds from its sale. Published - October 21, 2026 01:31 pm IST