Bengaluru: In a major gold smuggling bust, a visually impaired man was detained at Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru, for allegedly smuggling gold worth ₹3.44 crore from Dubai. The arrest, made by customs officials on March 4, followed a tip-off about the illegal activity.
3.9 Kg Gold Seized from Passenger Arriving from Dubai
Customs authorities revealed via a post on X (formerly Twitter) that the passenger was intercepted upon arrival. Upon inspection, officials found 3,995.22 grams of gold hidden under his shirt. The seized gold is valued at ₹3,44,38,796, and a smuggling case has been registered against the accused.
Arrest Follows Ranya Rao’s Gold Smuggling Case
This incident comes just a day after Kannada actress Ranya Rao was arrested at Bengaluru airport on March 3 for smuggling 17 gold bars worth ₹12.56 crore. The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) intercepted Rao after she arrived from Dubai. Investigators disclosed that she had made 27 trips to Dubai in six months and allegedly earned Rs. 4-5 lakh per kilogram of gold smuggled.
Bengaluru Airport Tightens Security After High-Profile Arrests
Following the recent smuggling cases, Kempegowda International Airport has implemented stricter security measures. Officials are particularly scrutinizing individuals with influential backgrounds, as reports suggest that Ranya Rao exploited her stepfather’s position as a high-ranking officer to bypass security protocols.
In response, the Karnataka government has revised its VIP access policies, restricting protocol privileges to senior bureaucrats only. Family members and acquaintances will no longer receive special treatment at airports.
CBI to Investigate International Smuggling Network
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is now probing a possible international gold smuggling syndicate linked to these cases. Authorities suspect a larger network facilitating the illegal transport of gold from the Middle East to India.
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