While there is ongoing scrutiny of Kannada actor Ranya Rao’s gold smuggling case, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) conducted a search at an Ahmedabad-based flat in Gujarat on March 17. The search found 88 kilograms of gold bars and 19.66 kilograms of studded ornaments.
The search, which was carried out jointly with officers of the Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS), was conducted at a residential flat in the Paldi locality.
In a statement released by the Ministry of Finance, “The search resulted in the seizure of 87.92 kilograms of gold bars worth approximately Rs. 80 crores. Most of the said gold bars have foreign markings, suggesting that these were smuggled into India.”
Apart from this, officials also seized 19.66 kilograms of diamond-studded jewelry and other semi-precious or precious stones.
Luxury Watches and Cash Also Recovered
The raid also revealed 11 luxury watches worth top brands such as Patek Philippe, Jacob & Co, and Franck Muller. The worth of the watches and jewelry seized is being valued at present.
Also, investigators found Rs. 1.37 crore in cash within the flat.
Emphasizing the importance of the operation, the statement further said, “The search is a significant setback to illegal activity and reflects DRI’s resolve to fight economic crimes, and protect the country’s integrity and sovereignty.”
Ranya Rao’s Gold Smuggling Case
This seizure follows the scandal of actress Ranya Rao. On March 3, officials of DRI arrested her at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport when she had come back from Dubai with 14 kg of gold bars valued at Rs. 12.56 crores.
Besides, during a joint operation with the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) on March 7, DRI confiscated 29.954 kg of hashish oil worth ₹33 crore from a ship destined for the Maldives.
DRI had received information regarding a tug boat towing a huge barge carrying rock boulders. The ship, which had sailed from Tuticorin Old Port in Tamil Nadu, was found to be operated by a smuggling gang that secretly loaded huge amounts of hashish oil mid-sea.
On the basis of this intelligence, the ICG had intercepted the boat near the coast of Kanyakumari and escorted it back to Tuticorin New Port, as per ANI. Officials also apprehended the man who had been loading the drugs, his partner, and a crew member who had been sharing the location of the vessel with the gang.
Investigations into all these cases are currently underway.
