LUCKNOW, July 28 -- Acting on specific intelligence, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) seized 491.290 grams of 24-carat foreign-origin gold worth around Rs.70 lakh from an Indian passenger who arrived from Sharjah at Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport, Varanasi, and arrested him for allegedly smuggling the precious metal. "The passenger was intercepted on July 26 following specific intelligence inputs that he was carrying smuggled gold from the UAE," a DRI press note said. It added, "During a search of the aircraft, DRI officers recovered gold concealed in paste/compound form beneath the passenger's seat. After extraction, the recovered gold weighed 491.290 grams." According to the DRI, the passenger was arrested under the Customs Act, 1962, while the seized gold was taken into custody. Officials said investigations are underway to identify other members of the alleged smuggling syndicate and establish the network's links. Investigators are examining whether the Sharjah passenger was acting as a carrier for a larger syndicate and are probing the contraband's intended destination. Officials said the investigation will focus on identifying alleged handlers, financiers and receivers linked to the cross-border smuggling operation....