Mumbai: The officers of Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) that had arrested three Iranian nationals travelling from Dubai to Mumbai for allegedly smuggling gold valued at Rs 6.28 crore, on Wednesday arrested fourth member of the syndicate. The DRI probe has revealed that the syndicate members was instrumental in smuggling at least 40 kg gold worth Rs 28 crore into India in the past.

According to the DRI sources, based on specific information, three international passengers (Irani Nationals) Zhaleh Amiri Taghjehjagh, Mohammadjavad Gholipoor and Mohammadamin Eslami who had arrived at CSMIA, Mumbai from Dubai on 14.02.2025 were identified and intercepted near the exit gate after they crossed the customs green channel. 7.143 kg of smuggled gold recovered was seized and the three passengers were arrested under the provisions of the Customs Act.

"After analyzing forensic data of the mobile phones recovered from the aforesaid passengers, it was revealed that Mohammadamin Eslami has been involved in gold smuggling since 2023. Several incriminating chats were recovered from his phone in which he made deals to sell smuggled gold in India, especially with a person named R.A. Miyanoor, a resident of Bhendi Bazaar. During the further investigation, Miyanoor was apprehended and was summoned under the provisions of the Customs Act. In his statement, he confirmed that Mohammadamin Eslami, either personally or through a carrier, had approached him and sold smuggled gold on multiple occasions. He also admitted to transfer of money from India to Dubai through hawala channels," said a DRI source.

"Miyanoor in his statement admitted that Mohammadamin Eslami, personally or through his accomplices, delivered smuggled gold to him several times totaling over 40 kg. He knowingly dealt in over 40 kg of smuggled gold from Mohammadamin Eslami and his accomplices due to the lucrative nature of the deal and he facilitated hawala arrangements to send the sale proceeds abroad or convert the sales proceeds from Indian Rupees into USD," the source added.

"The said 40 kg of foreign-origin gold whose market price is approximately Rs 28 crores was smuggled into India illegally without declaring the same before the Customs Authorities and it was to be delivered to Miyanoor for further sell in the market. Duty evasion of Rs 10.78 crore is committed by the syndicate. The ongoing investigation is crucial to dismantling this international smuggling network. The syndicate operates across multiple countries, and the involvement of foreign nationals in this case underscores the global reach of these criminal activities. The DRI is gathering additional evidence to identify and apprehend other key members of the syndicate, which could have far-reaching implications for international security and economic stability," the official said.