Following DRI inputs, CBI registers case to probe gold smuggling racket with international links

Actor Ranya Rao. File
| Photo Credit: The Hindu

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has registered a case involving a gold smuggling racket with international links. The probe has been launched on the basis of inputs received from the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), which recently arrested Kannada actor Ranya Rao at the Bengaluru airport, allegedly with smuggled gold.

The agency has not yet revealed the details of the case, including the names of those arraigned in the First Information Report as accused. It is learnt that the role of public servants in the smuggling racket may be examined.

Also Read | Gold smuggling case: Actor Ranya Rao remanded to three days in DRI custody

“The case has been registered on the inputs shared by the DRI about a gold smuggling racket having connections overseas. Both the law enforcement agencies are working in close coordination. At this stage, CBI teams have been sent to Mumbai and Bengaluru airports to follow the leads,” an official said.

Ms. Ranya was arrested by the DRI on March 3 when she returned from Dubai. The DRI alleged that gold weighing 14.8 kg was found in her possession.

The two agencies have collaborated on multiple occasions to investigate various aspects of gold-smuggling cases. In September 2021, the CBI registered a corruption case against 11 people, including two former Customs officials, in connection with the alleged smuggling of 17.73-kg gold at Delhi’s international airport in 2018. The DRI had initially detected that case and taken legal action against those involved.

Another case known as the ‘Karipur gold smuggling’ case was instituted in January 2021 following a joint surprise check conducted by CBI and DRI officials. In the same case, the CBI filed a chargesheet against 30 persons, including some Customs officials, in January 2023.

Earlier in May 2019, the CBI had booked nine people, including one Customs official, for their role in the smuggling of about 25 kg gold bars from Dubai via Thiruvananthapuram International Airport. That racket was also unearthed by DRI personnel who intercepted the contraband.