The Directorate Revenue of Intelligence (DRI) during an investigation related to various cases of smuggling of gold at the Airport and Air Cargo Complex, Mumbai, got intelligence inputs that a syndicate involving foreign nationals is involved in the processing and distribution of smuggled gold and the officials carried out raids at multiple locations where the smuggled gold was melted by the syndicate. During the raids, officials seized 36 kg of gold worth Rs 21 crore.

"It was also learned that the payment of the said gold smuggling was happening through the hawala channel. A discreet surveillance was mounted by a team of DRI officers on the travel pattern of a few foreign nationals and suspected Indian nationals to bust the syndicate," DRI said in a statement.