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Smuggling in India Report 2024-25 48
Case 10: Recovery of 16 kg of smuggled gold during cordon and
search
In May 2024, DRI officers conducted a
cordon and search operation with the
assistance of BSF in the border area of Gu-
narmath, West Bengal. The operation led to
the recovery and seizure of 89 gold biscuits
weighing 16 kg.
Gold Smuggling via Sea
In FY 2024-25, sea routes also remained a key channel for smuggling gold into
India, particularly along the Tamil Nadu coast. Syndicates exploited less-monitored
stretches like Rameswaram, Kottaipattinam, and Ramanathapuram for mid-sea
transfers from foreign vessels. Gold from Sri Lanka was often ferried via fishing
boats to smaller Indian vessels, which discreetly landed the contraband at secluded
coastal points.
Case 11: Joint DRI–ICG operation recovers smuggled gold from sea
In April 2024, DRI officers, with the assistance of
the Indian Coast Guard and Customs Preventive
Unit, Ramanathapuram intercepted a boat at sea
and recovered 4.90 kg of smuggled gold thrown
by the persons onboard into the sea.
final fill 160 v28 with bleed.pdf 91 12/19/2025 3:27:59 PM
