Gold smuggled from Bangladesh seized near Vijayawada; five arrested

An ongoing investigation has led to the seizure of smuggled gold and foreign currency in Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh, India. According to officials from the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), five individuals were arrested in connection with the operation on Sunday, October 18, 2026.

The DRI intercepted a car and a passenger bus near Vijayawada, leading to the seizure of gold and foreign currency valued at approximately ₹5.84 crore (about $740,000 USD). The seized items included three gold bars weighing a total of 3.1 kg, concealed around the waists of three individuals traveling on a Hyderabad-bound bus. Additionally, the occupants of a seized SUV were found to be in possession of US$60,000 and €21,500 in foreign currency, which they admitted had been part of a consignment of smuggled gold.

The smuggling operation involved transporting gold from Bangladesh through Kolkata, West Bengal, and into Hyderabad, Telangana, for sale. Intelligence had led authorities to suspect a gang involved in smuggling gold into India and subsequently moving it to Hyderabad for sale.

Upon launching a follow-up investigation based on the initial information, officials traced the gold consignment to three suspected carriers who were intercepted on a public transport bus near Vijayawada. The gold bars were concealed inside a pouch tied around their waists in an attempt to avoid detection.

All five accused were arrested and produced before a local magistrate, who remanded them to judicial custody. Further investigation is underway to uncover the broader network involved in procuring, smuggling, and profiting from the smuggled gold.