Actor Ranya Rao Caught Smuggling 14 Kg Gold at Bengaluru Airport, DRI Seizes ₹17.29 Crore in Total
Bengaluru: Actress Ranya Rao, daughter of a senior IPS officer, was just steps away from clearing airport security at Kempegowda International Airport when the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) intercepted her and seized gold bars worth ₹12 crore that she was allegedly smuggling.
The 33-year-old actress, known for her debut in the 2014 Kannada film Maanikya, arrived from Dubai on an Emirates flight on Monday. Two individuals accompanying her were allegedly carrying the smuggled gold in briefcases. They had nearly cleared security and were about to exit when the DRI, acting on specific intelligence, stopped them and initiated a search.
“Upon examination, gold bars weighing 14.2 kg were found ingeniously concealed on person. The contraband, valued at ₹12.56 crore, was seized under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962,” the DRI stated.
The investigation extended to her residence on Bengaluru’s Lavelle Road, where she lives with her husband. Officials discovered additional valuables, seizing gold jewelry worth ₹2.06 crore and ₹2.67 crore in cash.
“The lady passenger has been placed under arrest under the relevant provisions of the Customs Act, 1962, and remanded to judicial custody. The total seizure in the case stands at ₹17.29 crore, marking a significant blow to organized gold smuggling networks,” the agency added.
The DRI also highlighted that the 14.2 kg gold seizure is among the largest at Bengaluru airport in recent times.
Reports suggest that Ranya Rao had been making frequent short trips to Gulf countries, which eventually brought her under the DRI’s radar.
She is the stepdaughter of a senior IPS officer. The officer remarried after his first wife passed away, and his second wife had two daughters from her previous marriage, one of whom is Ranya Rao.
