Friday, Apr 4 2025 | Time 16:51 Hrs(IST)
States » SouthPosted at: Apr 3 2025 9:45PM


DRI uncovers Dubai-linked hawala, gold smuggling racket

Bengaluru, Apr 3 (UNI) A largescale gold smuggling and Hawala money laundering network with deep links to Dubai has been busted by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), with Sahil Jain emerging as a key conduit in facilitating multiple illicit transactions, agency sources said on Thursday.
Investigations have revealed that Jain played a crucial role in funnelling massive amounts of illicit funds to Dubai while aiding and abetting actress Ranya Rao in high-value financial dealings linked to smuggled gold. Authorities have so far identified Hawala money transfers amounting to Rs 38.39 crore to Dubai, exposing a sophisticated transnational laundering syndicate, the sources said.
Officials first flagged the operation in January 2025 when Rs 11 crore in Hawala money was transferred to Dubai as part of the illegal financial network. The same month, Jain allegedly oversaw the disposal of 14,568 grams of smuggled gold valued at Rs 11.55 crore. Additionally, Rs 30.34 lakh in illicit funds was transferred to Ranya in Bengaluru, with an extra Rs 55 lakh further entrenching her role in the network.
In February 2025, Jain’s activities continued, facilitating another Rs 11.25 crore transfer to Dubai, along with the disposal of 13,433 grams of gold worth Rs 11.80 crore. Authorities also found that Rs 55.81 lakh had been sent to Ranya in Bengaluru, indicating the scale of the smuggling and money laundering operation.
Overall, the probe has revealed that 49.6 kg of gold worth Rs 40.13 crore was smuggled and laundered through these transactions, further implicating Jain and his associates.
Further tightening the probe, enforcement agencies seized Rs 2.67 crore in unaccounted cash from Ranya's residence on March 4, suspected to be proceeds from the gold smuggling operation. According to the remand copy, Jain received a commission of Rs 55,000 per transaction, highlighting the structured nature of the illicit network.
Authorities have also recovered crucial digital evidence, including data from two mobile phones and a laptop belonging to Jain, which is expected to further establish his involvement in the syndicate. Investigations are ongoing, with more arrests and further action anticipated in the coming days. UNI BDN SSP
Tags: #DRI uncovers Dubai-linked hawala# gold smuggling racket
More News

Relief efforts intensify inside SLBC tunnel: Steel waste removal and soil excavation underway 24/7

04 Apr 2025 | 3:25 PM

Hyderabad, Apr 4 (UNI) Relief operations inside the SLBC Tunnel have picked up pace with the launch of a renewed conveyor belt system and round-the-clock excavation efforts.

see more..
All party meet on NEET on Mar 9 : Stalin

All party meet on NEET on Mar 9 : Stalin

04 Apr 2025 | 3:21 PM

Chennai, Apr 4 (UNI) Terming the Centre's refusal to give assent to the
Bill adopted in the State Assembly seeking exemption from the purview
of NEET exams as a black chapter in Federal history, the Tamil Nadu
Government has called for an All party meeting to decide on the next
course of action on NEET.

see more..

ACB conducts raids on RTA & Excise check posts in K B Asifabad, seizes unaccounted cash

04 Apr 2025 | 3:05 PM

Komaram Bheem Asifabad, Apr 4 (UNI) In a significant operation aimed at curbing corruption, the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) conducted surprise raids on the RTA and Excise check posts at Wankidi in the Komaram Bheem Asifabad district during the intervening night of April 2 and 3, 2025, from 0243 hours to 0300 hours.

see more..

Thunderstorm with lightning, gusty winds likely in Telangana in next 24 hrs: Met

04 Apr 2025 | 2:44 PM

Hyderabad, Apr 4 (UNI) Thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and gusty winds with speeds ranging from 30 to 40 km/h are likely to occur at isolated places in Telangana during the next 24 hours, the Meteorological Centre said on Friday.

see more..

BJP worker commits suicide after arrest over remark on CM's legal advisor

04 Apr 2025 | 2:17 PM

Bengaluru, Apr 4 (UNI) A 35-year-old BJP worker allegedly committed suicide in Bengaluru on Friday, days after being arrested in connection with a social media post concerning Congress MLA and legal advisor to the Chief Minister AS Ponnanna.

see more..