INDORE: In a major breakthrough, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) on Wednesday dismantled an organized international gold smuggling syndicate operating through a clandestine tarmac route.

Code-named Operation AEROBRIDGE, the intelligence-led crackdown resulted in the seizure of 1.02 kg of 24-carat foreign-origin gold valued at Rs 1.44 crore and the arrest of five individuals, including an Air India Express employee and an executive assistant from Indore Customs at Devi Ahilyabai Holkar (DABH) International Airport.

The syndicate utilized a unique and sophisticated method to bypass airport border controls, an official press release said.

Passengers acting as carriers would fly in from Abu Dhabi carrying foreign-origin gold. Immediately upon deboarding, and just before stepping into the Customs arrival area, the carrier would hand the contraband to an Air India Express employee waiting inside the aerobridge.