Operation Bullion Blaze | 14 Nov 2025

Why in News? 

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) cracked down on a major gold-smuggling and melting syndicate in Mumbai under the code name "Operation Bullion Blaze." 

Key Points 

• About Operation Bullion Blaze: 
  • The operation aims to disrupt black-market gold channels, which are often used for cash conversion and unaccounted political or criminal funding. 
  • The operation focuses on Zaveri Bazaar, Kalbadevi, Opera House, and other high-volume trade clusters in Mumbai, where unregistered bullion activities are suspected. 
• About Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI):  
  • The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) is India’s apex anti-smuggling agency, functioning under the Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs (CBIC), Ministry of Finance. 
  • It was established in 1957 and is responsible for preventing smuggling of gold, narcotics, wildlife items, counterfeit currency, and commercial frauds involving customs duty evasion. 
  • DRI has the authority to conduct search, seizure, arrest, and investigation under the Customs Act, 1962. 
  • It works closely with global bodies like WCO, INTERPOL, and foreign customs agencies for intelligence sharing.