DRI seizes ₹3.09 crore gold at Nagpur railway station, one arrested
Synopsis
A DRI tip-off led officers to intercept a train passenger on the Dnyaneshwari Express at Nagpur, uncovering 16 gold bars worth ₹3.09 crore allegedly routed from the India-Bangladesh border. The bust is part of a wider crackdown in which the agency has seized over ₹14 crore in gold and arrested 20 people — including five foreign nationals — in recent weeks, exposing organised smuggling networks with sophisticated concealment methods.
Key Takeaways
DRI Nagpur seized 16 gold bars (2.165 kg) valued at ₹3.09 crore from a passenger on the 12102 Dnyaneshwari Express on 9 August 2025 .
The gold was allegedly smuggled into India via the India-Bangladesh border and was being transported onward by rail.
In a broader recent crackdown, DRI arrested 20 accused — including 5 foreign nationals — and seized 9.5 kg of gold worth ₹14 crore along with narcotics and other contraband.
On 29 July , two Dubai-arrival passengers were arrested at IGI Airport, New Delhi , with 4 kg of gold (40 bars) hidden in baggage cavities.
Joint DRI-BSF operations along the Indo-Bangladesh border separately recovered approximately 3.2 kg of foreign-origin gold .
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) seized 16 gold bars weighing 2.165 kg — valued at ₹3.09 crore — from a passenger aboard the 12102 Dnyaneshwari Express at Nagpur Railway Station in Maharashtra on 9 August 2025, officials said. The gold is believed to have been smuggled into India via the India-Bangladesh border before being transported onward by train.
How the Operation Unfolded
Acting on a tip-off, a DRI Nagpur team laid a trap at Nagpur Railway Station, targeting a specific passenger travelling on the Dnyaneshwari Express. When the individual arrived, officers conducted a search and discovered the gold concealed on his person. The passenger was subsequently arrested.
According to officials, intelligence inputs had indicated that gold smuggled across the India-Bangladesh border was being routed to a further destination through the rail network — a method that reflects the increasingly sophisticated logistics employed by smuggling networks.
Part of a Wider DRI Crackdown
The Nagpur seizure is the latest in a series of anti-smuggling operations mounted by the DRI in recent weeks. In a broader sweep, the agency arrested 20 accused — including five foreign nationals — and seized approximately 9.5 kg of gold valued at around ₹14 crore, along with heroin, MDMA, hydroponic weed, red sanders, prohibited wildlife products, e-cigarettes, foreign-origin poppy seeds, and areca nuts.
Notably, on 29 July, two foreign nationals who had arrived from Dubai were arrested at Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi. Officers recovered 40 foreign-origin gold bars weighing 4 kg, concealed in cavities within their baggage — a technique the DRI described as characteristic of organised criminal syndicates.
Indo-Bangladesh Border Seizures
In separate joint operations conducted by DRI and Border Security Force (BSF) personnel along the Indo-Bangladesh border, officers seized approximately 3.2 kg of foreign-origin gold. The operations underline the continued use of the eastern border corridor as a primary entry point for smuggled precious metals.
What the Arrests Reveal
According to an official statement, the arrests of 20 accused, including five foreign nationals, have exposed sophisticated concealment techniques employed by organised criminal syndicates engaged in smuggling and trafficking activities. The DRI has not yet disclosed the identities of the accused or the specific syndicate links under investigation.
As enforcement pressure intensifies, authorities are expected to widen the probe to trace the full supply chain — from the Bangladesh border entry points to end buyers across Indian cities.
Point of View
Border crossings, and now passenger trains — suggesting compartmentalised logistics that are harder to disrupt with single-point enforcement. The involvement of five foreign nationals also raises questions about the international dimension of these networks that go beyond routine customs evasion. Whether DRI's probe extends to the financiers and end buyers — rather than just the couriers — will determine if these seizures translate into lasting disruption or merely a temporary squeeze on supply routes.
NationPress
9 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What did the DRI seize at Nagpur railway station?
The DRI seized 16 gold bars weighing 2.165 kg, valued at approximately ₹3.09 crore, from a passenger travelling on the 12102 Dnyaneshwari Express at Nagpur Railway Station on 9 August 2025. The passenger was arrested following the discovery of the concealed gold.
Where did the smuggled gold come from?
According to intelligence received by the DRI, the gold had been smuggled into India via the India-Bangladesh border before being transported further by train. The agency did not disclose the specific border crossing point.
How did the DRI intercept the passenger?
The DRI Nagpur team received a tip-off that gold was being transported on the Dnyaneshwari Express and laid a trap at Nagpur Railway Station. The passenger was searched upon arrival, and the concealed gold was discovered and seized.
Is this part of a larger DRI operation?
Yes. In recent weeks, the DRI has conducted a series of operations resulting in the arrest of 20 accused — including five foreign nationals — and the seizure of around 9.5 kg of gold worth ₹14 crore, along with heroin, MDMA, and other contraband. A separate operation at IGI Airport, New Delhi on 29 July also yielded 4 kg of gold hidden in baggage.
What smuggling routes are the DRI targeting?
The DRI, in coordination with the Border Security Force, is targeting the Indo-Bangladesh border corridor as a key entry point for smuggled gold. Airports and the rail network are also under scrutiny, as syndicates reportedly use multiple transport modes to move contraband across India.
