Five arrested near Vijayawada as officials seize smuggled gold and foreign cash worth nearly six crore rupees

What Happened

Five persons have been arrested after officers intercepted an interstate gold smuggling operation near Vijayawada in Andhra Pradesh. Officials from the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence seized foreign-origin gold bars and foreign currency together valued at ₹5.84 crore during coordinated checks on October 18, 2026.

Seizure Details

Acting on specific intelligence, officers first stopped a Scorpio SUV on the outskirts of Vijayawada. A search uncovered a hidden compartment containing 60,000 US dollars and 21,500 euros in foreign currency. The two occupants admitted they had already dropped off a gold consignment nearby and were moving the sale proceeds. Following this interrogation, a second team intercepted a Hyderabad-bound passenger bus at a toll plaza. Officers found three men carrying 3,147.1 grams of foreign-origin gold bars tied in pouches around their waists.

Background

Investigators state the network sourced foreign gold from Bangladesh, moved it through Kolkata, and brought it toward Hyderabad for sale. All five suspects were presented before a magistrate and placed in judicial custody while officials continue their search for other members of the network.

Context

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence works to check smuggling and tax evasion across India. Intercepting couriers on buses and cars along major highways is a common method used by enforcement agencies to disrupt illegal supply chains.