PANAJI: In a major operation, the directorate of revenue intelligence (DRI) intercepted and foiled a bid to smuggle 38 sophisticated drones into the country. DRI sleuths in Goa arrested five men who flew in from Sharjah on April 19 aboard an Air Arabia flight, and also found gold and tobacco during the operation at Goa International Airport.
According to DRI sleuths, the seizure has a combined value of Rs 2.1 crore. The five passengers hail from Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Mumbai, and DRI sleuths are still investigating the motive behind the smuggling racket.
Officials said that the DRI team waited at the airport and then took the five men aside for a search and for questioning. On examining their baggage, DRI found 38 high-end drones valued at a total of Rs 49.1 lakh, along with 2.3 kg of gold valued at Rs 1.1 crore and American tobacco valued at Rs 52.5 lakh.
The drones, which are banned in India, boast of a 48-megapixel camera and could be used for nefarious purposes.
Central security agencies have been roped in for the investigation to probe the use of the drones and to identify if more people are involved in the smuggling ring.
