Rs 1.72 crore gold hidden under knee cap: DRI arrests passenger arriving on Vande Bharat in Lucknow

LUCKNOW: The directorate of revenue intelligence (DRI) seized 1.202kg of foreign-origin gold worth approximately Rs 1.72 crore and arrested a passenger at Lucknow railway station for allegedly smuggling the precious metal, officials said on Friday.Acting on specific intelligence about the transportation of smuggled foreign-origin gold from Howrah to Lucknow via Varanasi, DRI officers intercepted the passenger on platform number 5 of Lucknow railway station on October 8.The passenger had deboarded the Vande Bharat Express (22489).The operation was conducted with assistance from the Railway Protection Force (RPF), Lucknow.During a search, officials recovered six pieces of high-purity, foreign-origin gold, comprising three chains, one half-bar and two small cut pieces.The gold had been concealed in a specially stitched pocket beneath a knee cap worn by the passenger, officials said.According to the DRI, the passenger failed to produce any documents to establish the lawful possession of the gold.He had allegedly attempted to evade detection by changing trains at Varanasi or Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Junction instead of travelling directly from Howrah to Lucknow.The recovered gold, weighing 1.202 kg and valued at approximately Rs 1,72,34,373, was seized under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962. The passenger was arrested under the same Act.Further investigation is underway to identify other members of the alleged smuggling syndicate and establish the network involved in transporting foreign-origin gold.14.47Kg Gold Seized Across Up Since JanuaryThe DRI said it had seized a total of 14.47kg of smuggled foreign-origin gold, valued at approximately Rs 21 crore, in nine cases across Uttar Pradesh since January 2026.Ten people have been arrested in connection with these cases.The agency said it remains committed to curbing gold smuggling and dismantling networks involved in the illegal transportation of precious metals.You Can Also Check: Gold Rate in Lucknow | Silver Rate in Lucknow | Bank Holidays in Lucknow | Public Holidays in Lucknow | Lucknow AQI | Weather in Lucknow | Petrol Price in Lucknow | Diesel Price in Lucknow | CNG Price in Lucknow | LPG Price in LucknowStay updated with the latest Lucknow news. Download the TOI App.