In a major crackdown, officials from the directorate of revenue intelligence (DRI) busted an inter-state gold smuggling racket worth Rs 18.95 crore, involving 11 people operating from Mumbai, Varanasi and Nagpur. The DRI officials arrested five accused from Mumbai and six others from Nagpur and Varanasi and seized 31.64 kg gold from them. Primary investigations by the DRI officials indicate that the gang procured gold at cheaper rates from Bangladesh for the jewellers.

According to the DRI’s remand application, they received a tip-off that members of a gang involved in gold smuggling are about to arrive at an ATM centre in Juhu. The officials laid a trap and arrested Arun Pujari, Nitesh Gorad, Kiran Mandale, Tushar Jadhav and Rohit Waghmare. Pujari was found in possession of 4.9 kg gold while the officials found Rs 12 lakh on Gorad.