Major Seizure: 88 kg of Smuggled Gold Bars and Luxury Items Uncovered in Ahmedabad Raid

On March 17, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) and the Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) raided a residential apartment in Paldi. This action was part of a major crackdown on gold smuggling. Under several bars carrying foreign marks, indicating their illicit provenance, the operation seized 87.92 kg of gold bars worth almost ₹80 crore. Authorities also seized ₹1.37 crore in cash and 19.66 kg of diamond and gemstone-studded jewelry, 11 luxury watches—including a Jacob & Co clock with a diamond-studded Patek Philippe and a Franck Muller watch. This action highlights the DRI’s will to fight economic crimes and protect national integrity.

Gold, jewelry, and luxury watches worth over ₹100 crore were recovered from a flat in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, during a raid.

– 88 kgs of gold bars seized

– 11 luxury watches found

– Rs 1.37 crore cash recovered

– Valuables found at a residential flat

– Gold bars had foreign… pic.twitter.com/Xd7j4w3LOH

— TIMES NOW (@TimesNow) March 19, 2025

This attack coincided with more attention on gold smuggling activities, notably involving Kannada celebrity Ranya Rao. Arriving from Dubai, Ranya Rao was arrested at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru for attempting to smuggle 14.2 kg of gold bars valued ₹12.5 crore. Investigations showed that Rao went to Dubai 52 times from 2023 to 2025. Of those trips, 45 were single-day round trips. This raised concerns about her possible role in a smuggling scheme. Under inquiry for alleged money laundering activities, more investigation turned out her ties to three business entities.

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The most recent seizure in Ahmedabad and Ranya Rao’s detention underlines the growing initiatives by the Indian government to eliminate networks of gold smuggling. Seizing many luxury goods and gold bars is a big hurdle for illegal activities. This also strengthens the nation’s resolve to fight economic crimes and safeguard its sovereignty.

Kannada actress Ranya Rao and Tarun Kondaru Raju have received default bail. The DRI did not file a charge sheet on time. Ranya stays in custody because of ongoing legal issues. Her mother is challenging a Cofeposa preventive detention order in the Karnataka High Court.

The Enforcement Directorate is searching linked to Karnataka Home Minister G. Parameshwara. This is part of a money-laundering probe connected to a smuggling network. Parameshwara denies any links to the actions and calls them politically motivated.

However, his deputy claims he might have gifted Ranya between ₹15–25 lakh. These developments underscore ongoing legal and political entanglements surrounding the gold‑smuggling case.