Ranya Rao, Indian actress, is arrested for purportedly smuggling 14.2 kg of gold ($1.47 million) via Bengaluru’s international airport.
Reports in Indian media stated that officers from the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) were tipped off. It was about Rao’s arrival from Dubai.
Stopped at the airport upon her 3 March arrival, authorities discovered 14 gold bars. These were fastened using tape and bandages wound about her thighs.
Ranya Rao, a South Indian actress, has been detained for supposedly trafficking 14.2 kg of gold valued $1.47 million.
She was doing via Bengaluru’s international airport, therefore setting off a high profile inquiry.
Rao’s arrival from Dubai was first reported in the Indian media to have been alerted by officers. The officer are from the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI).
Stopped at the airport on 3 March, she had 14 gold bars attached to her legs with tape and bandages, officials discovered.
Though early findings indicated the gold was stowed in her jacket, DRI later verified it was directly fastened to her body.
Rao is said to have admitted to the smuggling affair under interrogation.
The situation turned very serious when it came out that the 33 year old actress is the step-daughter of a senior police officer in Karnataka with the rank of Director General of Police (DGP).
This has drawn attention to possible upper level links in smuggling operations.
Official are now checking whether Rao was acting by herself or for a more major smuggling organization.
Intended receivers of the contraband gold are under investigation too.
Rao had visited Dubai 27 times in the last year as per DRI, which triggered the agency to put her under observation before she was apprehended.
The inquiry is still in progress; officials are concentrating on revealing the full scope of the smuggling activity.
