Gold worth Rs 1cr seized every week in Gujarat in 2024-25

Ahmedabad: Central agencies seized Rs 54.29 crore worth of gold in 52 weeks, averaging over Rs 1 crore worth of gold every week in the financial year 2024-25.
According to sources, the Ahmedabad Zonal Unit (AZU) of the DRI directly seized 35.39kg of gold worth Rs 26.97 crore in the financial year that concluded on March 31. The agency also supported other agencies such as customs and state police in the seizure of 38.83kg of gold worth Rs 27.32 crore in the same period.
Sources said that while the value of the seizure was slightly lower compared to 2023-24, the movement of gold smuggling and seizure could be traced to the price of the precious metal in domestic and international markets. It is notable that the price of gold is at an all-time high, inching closer to Rs 1 lakh per 10 grams due to multiple factors affecting international markets.
"In the past financial year, several syndicates were identified and their members apprehended who were operating on international flights primarily from the Gulf countries. The persons chosen to ferry the gold were often lured with a fixed amount and did not have prior records. The modus operandi is also constantly evolving to hoodwink the security agencies," said a senior official.
While a few earlier cases involved using gold paste and granules to smuggle it in body cavities, baggage linings, or even the interior of electronic equipment, a recent case involved two passengers carrying 3kg of gold worth Rs 2.76 crore in the form of gold paste concealed in plastic strips embedded in their jeans trousers.
The year also marked one of the biggest gold seizures of all time, with 95kg seized from a Paldi residence in March, where a Mumbai-based stockbroker and his father stored the precious metal along with other valuables. The case was eventually handed over to the state anti-terrorists squad (ATS) of Gujarat police for further investigation.
The DRI was involved as the majority of the gold bars found in the apartment bore markings of foreign firms, indicating that they were of foreign origin. The investigation in the case is ongoing, said officials.
"Tracing gold smuggling is often a multi-agency operation. Across India, intelligence is developed to identify organised crime syndicates and how airports or other facilities are misused for illegal activities," said a senior official.