In a worrying trend, there has been a nearly four-fold rise in cases of gold smuggling as 148 such instances were reported and yellow metal worth about Rs 245 crore was seized by Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) officials during 2013-14.
As many as 40 cases of gold smuggling were registered in 2012-13. The value of gold seized in these cases was about Rs 44.80 crore, according to the DRI, which acts as lead agency to check smuggling.
The seized gold was being smuggled into the country through various means -- hiding it in luggage and even through false declaration of imported goods, among others.
DRI had arrested 464 persons in the last financial year against 202 in 2012-13 for involvement in gold smuggling.
Customs officials in Delhi international airport have also registered 363 cases of gold smuggling and seized 353 kg of the precious metal during 2013-14.
The value of the seized gold is approximately Rs 90 crore, officials said, adding 123 people were arrested in these cases.
Deccan Herald is on WhatsApp Channels| Join now for Breaking News & Editor's Picks