- DRI seized around 8.3 kg of foreign-origin gold, valued at approximately Rs 12.37 crore
- Four persons were arrested in connection with the smuggling
- Gold biscuits were hidden in specially tailored cloth waist belts worn by two suspects
- The interception took place on 05.10.2026 in Cooch Behar district
- DRI says it will go after the wider syndicates behind the smuggling
Four persons were arrested after the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) seized around 8.3 kg of foreign-origin gold, valued at approximately Rs 12.37 crore, along the Indo-Bangladesh border.
Interception on the Cooch Behar route
DRI officers had kept the Indo-Bangladesh border in Cooch Behar district under surveillance. On 05.10.2026, they stopped four individuals travelling on two motorcycles.
The route ran from the border crossing at Chowdhurihat to Cooch Behar. A personal search led to the recovery of gold biscuits.
Gold hidden in waist belts
Two of the four were wearing specially tailored cloth waist belts. The gold biscuits were concealed inside them.
In all, 72 gold biscuits, each weighing 116 grams, were recovered from the four. The gold was seized under the Customs Act, 1962.
Arrests and next steps
All four persons were arrested. Further investigations are underway.
The operation followed a long period of discreet surveillance by DRI officials. The agency said it remains committed to dismantling organised gold-smuggling networks that use cross-border routes. It also aims to identify the wider syndicates involved in moving and distributing smuggled gold.
