Archive · 22 Sep 2026
DRI Busts Chennai Airport Gold Smuggling Ring, Five Held
Officials found a group allegedly helping people smuggle gold through Chennai airport.
Three airport workers were accused of helping the smugglers avoid proper X-ray checks.
They allegedly used X-ray reports belonging to normal passengers instead.
Two Sri Lankan passengers arrived from Dubai through Sri Lanka and were checked by officials.
Nothing suspicious was found in their belongings.
Officials then suspected that the gold might be hidden inside their bodies.
A new X-ray showed gold concealed inside them.
The DRI seized 2.6 kilograms of gold worth Rs 4 crore and arrested five people.
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence arrested five people over a gold-smuggling operation at Chennai airport.
Three airport personnel allegedly helped smugglers by substituting normal passengers’ X-ray reports.
Two Sri Lankan passengers arriving from Dubai through Sri Lanka were suspected of hiding gold inside their bodies.
A fresh X-ray found 2.6 kilograms of gold valued at Rs 4 crore.
The DRI is investigating earlier smuggling operations and other people who may have been involved.
- Who
- The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, two Sri Lankan passengers, and three Chennai airport personnel.
- What
- A suspected gold-smuggling operation involving the substitution of X-ray reports was uncovered, resulting in five arrests.
- When
- On Monday; the articles do not provide a specific date.
- Where
- Chennai airport, involving passengers who arrived from Dubai through Sri Lanka.
- Why
- Airport personnel allegedly helped smugglers evade proper X-ray checks by submitting reports from normal passengers.
- Investigating agency
- Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI)
- Arrests
- Five people
- Airport personnel implicated
- Three, including two havildars and one X-ray department employee
- Passengers involved
- Two Sri Lankan passengers
- Gold seized
- 2.6 kilograms
- Estimated value
- Rs 4 crore
- Route
- Dubai through Sri Lanka to Chennai