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47 Smuggling in India Report 2024-25

Gold Smuggling via Land Border

In FY 2024-25, gold smuggling through land routes persisted as a major chal-
lenge, particularly along India’s eastern and northeastern borders. Syndicates con-
tinued exploiting the porous and rugged terrain adjoining Myanmar, Bangladesh,
China and Nepal. The India-Myanmar corridor, passing through Manipur and
Mizoram, remained a key conduit, with gold trafficked via well-established land
routes and moved from border towns to hinterland hubs.

In West Bengal, a known hotspot, smuggled gold frequently enters from Bangla-
desh, hidden in vehicle compartments, two-wheelers, or hand-carried by pedes-
trians through minor check posts and informal crossings. The Siliguri Corridor
continued to be a critical transit route, with frequent seizures underscoring its
strategic importance. Smugglers employed modified vehicles with false cavities to
conceal gold.

Case 9: DRI busts Indo-Myanmar gold smuggling syndicate

In April 2024, DRI officers intercepted and
searched a vehicle coming from Aizawl,
Mizoram on NH-6 near Guwahati, which
resulted in the recovery of 120 gold biscuits
weighing nearly 20 kg concealed behind the
front seats and gear console of the vehicle.
Investigation revealed that the gold was
smuggled from Myanmar via the Mizoram
border.

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