Question : Gold Smuggling

(a) the details of cases of gold smuggling, contraband smuggling, smuggling of items through airports/ports unearthed and consignment seized by Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) during the last three years and the current year;

(b) whether DRI has seized a sizeable quantity of gold concealed in gadgets recently;

(c) if so, the details thereof and the action taken by DRI against the offenders; and

(d) the preventive steps taken or proposed to be taken by the Government to check such incidents?

The Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance (Shri Jayant Sinha)


(a) The details of gold smuggling/contraband smuggling through airports/ports detected by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) during the last three years and current year is at Annexure-A.

(b) & (c) Yes. In the month of March, 2015, 12.01 kg.of smuggled gold and 35.9 kg. of 24 carat smuggled gold were recovered and seized from electronic and other items viz. Meat grinder, LED Track light, Hot plates, Microwave ovens, Voltage converter, Water Pump motors, Speakers and Push-up bar, etc., which were clandestinely and illegally imported through Courier parcels by the authorized Courier. Three persons were arrested under Customs Act, 1962.

(d) Deterrent action under Customs Act, 1962 and the NDPS Act, 1985 has been taken against the accused persons where the accused persons have been arrested. Prosecution complaints are being filed in the concerned court, Show Cause Notices under the provisions of Customs Act, 1962 are being issued and in deserving cases provisions of COFEPOSA Act/PITNDPS Act have been initiated against the accused persons. Alert and Modus operandi circulars are being issued from time to time to prevent such incidents of smuggling of goods.