Surat: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) seized 480 grams of gold worth around Rs 68 lakh from a passenger at Surat International Airport on Thursday. The passenger, identified as Mahommad Arif Patel, a resident of Bharuch, had arrived from Dubai on an IndiGo flight.Acting on specific intelligence inputs, DRI officials intercepted Patel and examined his luggage, recovering the gold during the inspection. The seized metal was taken into custody, and further legal action was initiated under the applicable customs provisions.The agency is investigating whether Patel was linked to an organised gold-smuggling syndicate. Officials are also examining how the consignment was brought into the country and whether any concealment techniques or assistance were involved.DRI teams are verifying Patel’s travel history and background to determine whether he had undertaken similar trips in the past and to identify possible associates. The investigation is also focusing on the source of the gold, its intended recipients and the possible involvement of a wider smuggling network operating along the Dubai-Surat route.
