Mumbai DRI Busts Gold-Smuggling Syndicate, Arrests Chinese National And Importer; ₹1.10 Crore Gold Seized From Treadmill Motor

On September 8, 2026, the Mumbai Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) successfully dismantled an international gold-smuggling syndicate run by Chinese nationals. The operation resulted in the seizure of 691.870 grams of 24-carat gold, valued at approximately Rs 1.10 crore, concealed within a treadmill motor imported from Hong Kong. Two individuals, Chinese national Cheng Wing Hing and Tamil Nadu resident Bharanidharan, were arrested in connection with the case.

The gold was discovered during a DRI investigation into a consignment of two boxes, declared to contain treadmills, which had been imported by a private company at Mumbai's Air Cargo Complex on September 2. Upon opening the treadmill motor and removing one of its magnets, customs officers recovered the gold object, which was subsequently identified as the contraband.

Bharanidharan, in his voluntary statement, admitted to operating an importing firm to facilitate smuggling operations organized by Cheng Wing Hing. The firm, masquerading as a legitimate medical and dental equipment import business, had brought in consignments of surgical beds, treadmills, and vibration equipment between 2024 and late 2026.

In exchange for leveraging his company credentials, Bharanidharan received Rs 8.50 lakh in illicit payouts and facilitated the routing of Rs 1.24 lakh through his construction firm to cover Customs Broker fees. Additionally, he provided fake business visa invitation letters to help foreign associates bypass immigration procedures.

Cheng Wing Hing was intercepted by DRI officers on Sunday and has since confessed to meeting Hugo Law in Hong Kong three months prior to his visit to India. Law had informed him about the gold smuggling operation and offered monetary consideration in exchange for assistance in dismantling the machines and extracting the concealed gold.

The DRI is continuing its investigation to locate and apprehend other accomplices involved in the organized gold-smuggling operation, as well as to recover additional digital devices, documents, and financial records. The mastermind, Law Kai Chun alias Hugo Law, has fled India, and other members of the syndicate are yet to be identified and apprehended.