The seizures highlight a growing trend of cocaine smuggling through air passenger routes, with cases surging from 21 in 2022-23 to 47 cases in 2023-24, according to the Smuggling in India Report, 2023-24. During 2023- 24, the Director of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) booked 109 cases involving 8,223.61 kg of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances including 107.31 kg of cocaine, 48.74 kg of heroin,136 kg of methamphetamine, 236 kg of mephedrone and 7,348.68 kg of ganja.

The report also noted that the DRI seized 1,319 kg of gold during FY 2023-24, with 55% of the seizures occurring through land routes and 36% through air routes. It further stated that gold seizures through the sea routes is 9%.

An operation code-named ‘Operation Rising Sun’ conducted on March 12, 2024 led to the seizure of 22.74 kg gold amounting ₹13 lakh. Further operations in Assam, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh resulted in the confiscation of 61.08 kg of gold, valued at ₹40.48 crore.

“Overall, the seizures of foreign origin illegally smuggled cigarettes into India stood at around 91 million sticks valued at ₹178.82 Cr. The bulk of the smuggling was through the sea route (53.4 million sticks),” the report states.

In March 2024, the DRI, in collaboration with the Indian Coast Guard, seized 99 kg of ‘hashish’ amounting to ₹108.90 crore through the sea route.

The report highlights that gold smuggling into India through its land borders, particularly from Myanmar, Bangladesh, and Nepal, remains a persistent and complex issue. Air routes into India are also frequently used by smugglers, with Middle East and Southeast Asian countries traditionally serving as major points of origin. Recently, airports in certain African and Central Asian countries have also emerged as key hubs for smuggling operations.

“Beyond safeguarding national revenue, the DRI has been instrumental in reinforcing India’s efforts against smuggling of Narcotics, Gold, Wildlife and other serious threats. The trafficking of contrabands poses grave threat to both the country’s national security and also to the socioeconomic fabric of the country,” states Nirmala Sitharam.

Gold smuggling has evolved with new techniques like employing mules. “Gold smuggling in India has evolved with smuggling syndicates now employing “mules” with diverse profiles, including foreign nationals and families, alongside insiders. Smuggling syndicates even leverage international departure gates, where airport workers and other staff collude in smuggling gold from transit passengers,” the report adds.