Gold smuggling in India has increased by four times compared to the previous year and so far Rs 245 crore worth gold was seized by Directorate of Revenue Intelligence [DRI] during 2013-14.

The DRI officials have arrested 464 persons in this illegal smuggling. Delhi, Hyderabad and Kerala airports are the main targets of the gold smugglers.

At Delhi airport, Custom Officials have seized 353 kgs of gold and booked 363 cases during 2013-14. The gold is worth Rs 90 crores and 123 people were detained smuggling.

According to the government sources, around 1000 to 3000 kgs of gold is getting smuggled in the country every month inspite of taking precautionary measurements. The passengers are hiding the gold in luggage deep inside the clothes and eventually not getting detected by the scrutiny machines.

(AW: Vamshi)