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49 Smuggling in India Report 2024-25

Key Trends in Gold Smuggling

The DRI has led the fight against gold smuggling by generating and disseminating
critical intelligence, effectively uncovering the evolving tactics employed by the
smugglers. In FY 2024-25, the DRI identified several emerging trends in gold
smuggling activities.

a. Decline in gold seizures post duty reduction

In FY 2024-25, the DRI continued its vigilance and countermeasures against gold
smuggling networks operating across the country and seized 1073 kg of gold,
having a market value of approximately ₹785 Crores. Nearly half of the total
seizures were made during the period prior to import duty reduction by the Gov-
ernment in July 2024, with the highest quantity of seizures being observed in April
2024.

2023-24 2024-25

265

184
159 154
150
134 132
120 119
109 99
81 80 84 89 72 86 74
59 63
43
21 29 31
April May June July August September October November December January February March

Figure 2: Monthwise comparison of gold seizures made in 2023-24 and
2024-25 (Quantity in kg)

b. Seizures of gold smuggled through land routes dominate sea

and air routes

In FY 2024–25, land-route seizures accounted for the majority of DRI’s gold
smuggling cases. While airport seizures largely involved offenders apprehended
during the act, land-route cases included town seizures after the gold had crossed
borders.

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