The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) executed “Operation Bullion Blaze,” dismantling a major gold-smuggling and melting syndicate in Mumbai. Acting on intelligence, DRI officers raided four locations, including two illicit melting units and two unregistered shops, seizing 11.88 kg of 24-carat gold valued at ₹15.05 crore and 8.72 kg of silver worth ₹13.17 lakh. The operation revealed a sophisticated network that smuggled gold, melted it covertly, and sold the refined bars on the grey market. Eleven individuals, including the syndicate mastermind with prior smuggling history, his father, operational staff, accountants, and delivery personnel, were arrested and remanded to judicial custody. The case highlights a well-orchestrated violation of India’s gold import laws, aimed at defrauding government revenue. DRI’s crackdown underscores its commitment to protecting fiscal stability, disrupting illicit gold flows, and curbing organized smuggling networks that threaten transparent trade and market integrity. Further investigations are ongoing to trace the full extent of the racket.
Ministry of Finance
DRI disrupts major gold smuggling and melting syndicate in Mumbai under “Operation Bullion Blaze”; 11.88 kg gold seized and 11 persons arrested
Posted On: 12 NOV 2025
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has cracked down on a major gold-smuggling syndicate in Mumbai under “Operation Bullion Blaze.” The operation uncovered an organised racket involved in smuggling gold into India, melting it in covert furnaces, and illicitly selling the refined bullion into the grey market.
Acting on specific intelligence, on 10.11.2025 DRI officers carried simultaneous searches at four discreetly located premises in Mumbai — two illegal melting units and two unregistered shops.
Both furnaces were found fully operational, equipped with complete setups for converting smuggled gold in wax and other forms into bars. Officers swiftly moved in, detaining the operators and recovering 6.35 kg of gold on the spot. Follow-up searches at the two shops used by the mastermind for receiving smuggled gold and selling the melted bars to local buyers, led to the recovery of an additional 5.53 kg of gold bars from one of the shops.
In all, 11.88 kg of 24-carat gold, valued at ₹15.05 crore, and 8.72 kg of silver worth ₹13.17 lakh, were seized under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962.
A total of 11 persons, involved in smuggling, melting, and illicit sale of gold were arrested, including the mastermind, who has a past record of gold smuggling. The syndicate was being operated by the mastermind in connivance with his father, a manager, four hired melters, an accountant responsible for maintaining records of smuggled gold, and three delivery personnel handling its distribution. All accused were produced before the JMFC, Mumbai, and remanded to judicial custody.
Preliminary findings point to a well-orchestrated conspiracy for gold smuggling and illicit sale, in blatant violation of India’s gold import policy and aimed at defrauding government revenue.
The DRI remains determined to root out organised smuggling networks that drain revenue, distort markets, and threaten fiscal stability. By intercepting illicit gold flows and disrupting the shadow economy that fuels them, DRI continues to safeguard India’s economic and fiscal stability, and ensure a fair and transparent trading environment.
Further investigation is in progress.
