Bengaluru: In a significant operation against gold smuggling, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) intercepted a passenger Kannada actress Ranya Rao and seized from her foreign-origin 14.2 kg gold bars worth Rs 12.56 crore at Kempegowda International Airport here, officials said on Wednesday.
Ranya is the stepdaughter of senior IPS officer Ramachandra Rao, who is currently serving as Director-General of Police, Karnataka State Police Housing Corporation.
The total seizure in the case stood at Rs 17.29 crore, which included assets worth Rs 4.73 crore, marking a significant blow to organised gold smuggling networks. The haul of 14.2 kg is one of the largest seizures of gold at Bengaluru airport in recent times.
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Intelligence Inputs
The Ministry of Finance in a statement said, “Acting on specific intelligence, DRI officers intercepted an Indian lady passenger aged around 33 years, who had arrived from Dubai to Bengaluru via Emirates flight on March 3. Upon examination, gold bars weighing 14.2 kg were found ingeniously concealed on person.”
According to the Ministry, the contraband valued at Rs 12.56 crore was seized under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962.
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“Following the interception, DRI officers conducted a search at her residential premises located on Lavelle road, Bengaluru, where she resides with her husband. The search resulted in the seizure of gold jewellery worth Rs 2.06 crore and Indian currency amounting to Rs 2.67 crore.”
The Finance Ministry said the lady passenger has been arrested under the relevant provisions of the Customs Act, 1962 and remanded to judicial custody.
