{
  "id": 7958672,
  "title": "Explainer: Why gold smuggling is booming and seizures are growing",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/17/explainer-why-gold-smuggling-is-booming-and-seizures-are-growing",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-09-17T05:32:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Live Mint",
    "slug": "live-mint",
    "url": "https://www.livemint.com/news/gold-smuggling-gold-seizures-directorate-of-revenue-intelligence-dri-gold-imports-gold-import-duty-gold-duty-hike-11789616153255.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Gold smuggling networks have resurfaced following a recent hike in import duty, leading to an increase in seizures by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI). In the first nine months of the current financial year, the agency has intercepted approximately 205 kilograms of gold of foreign origin. Despite the prevalence of digital surveillance, smuggling continues to flourish due to the high value of gold and the significant price difference between legally purchased and smuggled gold. This resurgence in smuggling has not only undermined the government's efforts to control imports and conserve foreign exchange but also exposed new smuggling routes, techniques, and facilities. Dhirendra Kumar, a seasoned policy reporter with over two decades of experience, has reported on this issue, shedding light on the structural policy shifts and their impact on India's economy.",
  "summary": "After India doubled import duties on gold earlier this year, duty-evaded gold has become far cheaper in comparison. As a precious metal, even a tiny amount of gold earns a fortune for the smuggler.",
  "key_points": [
    "Gold smuggling networks resurfaced due to import duty hike.",
    "DRI intercepted 205 kg of foreign gold in 9 months.",
    "Smuggling persists due to high gold value and price difference."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The surge in gold smuggling and seizures signals that higher import duties have not curbed illegal trade, but instead driven it further underground, undermining government efforts to conserve foreign exchange.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}