Gold flown in small amounts to avoid detection

Seizures of smuggled gold from air passengers by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) in the last two years have shown a particular trend—smugglers using multiple carriers to transport smaller quantities, instead of large quantities, to evade detection.

- Abhishek Sharan

MUMBAI:

In most cases pertaining to DRI Mumbai and other agency units, the quantity of gold seized was less than 10 kg, according to agency sources.

The adoption of this modus operandi is aimed at minimizing potential losses for smuggling syndicates upon interception.

"There is an increasing use of multiple carriers to transport smaller quantities of gold, minimizing potential losses for smuggling syndicates upon interception," a DRI source said.