New Delhi, July 25 -- The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has seized more than 27 kg of foreign-origin smuggled gold and arrested 12 people in a series of intelligence-led operations across the country, exposing organised smuggling networks that used aircraft lavatories, specially modified vehicles and utensils, and body concealment to transport the precious metal.

According to a Finance Ministry press release issued on Saturday, the operations uncovered "sophisticated concealment methods, including concealment inside aircraft lavatories, specially fabricated cavities in vehicles and utensils, and body concealment," highlighting "the evolving modus operandi adopted by organised smuggling syndicates."

One of the biggest seizure...