DRI's 'Operation Bullion Blaze' busts gold smuggling and melting syndicate in Mumbai
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) searched four premises in Mumbai on 10 November 2025 under 'Operation Bullion Blaze', busting a syndicate that smuggled gold into India, melted it in hidden furnaces and sold the bars in the grey market.
Summary
Operation Bullion Blaze covered two illegal melting units and two unregistered shops, where DRI found fully working furnaces and recovered 6.35 kg of gold on the spot and 5.53 kg of gold bars from a shop. In all, 11.88 kg of 24-carat gold worth ₹15.05 crore and 8.72 kg of silver worth ₹13.17 lakh were seized under the Customs Act, 1962, and 11 people, including the mastermind who had a past record of gold smuggling, were arrested. The Finance Ministry announced the operation on 12 November.
Key facts
- Agency
- Directorate of Revenue Intelligence
- Operation
- Bullion Blaze
- Searches
- 10 Nov 2025, 4 premises in Mumbai
- Gold seized
- 11.88 kg (24-carat), ₹15.05 cr
- Silver seized
- 8.72 kg, ₹13.17 lakh
- Arrests
- 11
- Law
- Customs Act, 1962
Practice MCQs 2 questions
How much gold did the DRI seize in Mumbai under 'Operation Bullion Blaze' in November 2025?
Show answer
Correct answer: C — 11.88 kg
DRI seized 11.88 kg of 24-carat gold worth ₹15.05 crore; 8.72 kg was the silver seized.
Under which law were the gold and silver seized in 'Operation Bullion Blaze'?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — Customs Act, 1962
The gold and silver were seized under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962.