Kannada actor Ranya Rao meticulously planned her gold smuggling attempt, learning concealment techniques from YouTube and receiving gold bars at Dubai International Airport before being caught at Bengaluru Airport, according to a document detailing the authorities’ objections to her bail plea.
Ranya Rao, the stepdaughter of a senior IPS officer, was arrested on March 3 at Kempegowda International Airport with 14 kg of gold hidden in her clothing. The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) suspects a larger smuggling syndicate behind the operation.
How Ranya Rao Planned the Gold Smuggling
During interrogation, the Kannada actor admitted that this was her first attempt at gold smuggling. She received an internet call instructing her to collect the gold from Gate A of Terminal 3 at Dubai International Airport.
At the airport’s dining lounge, she met an unknown man described as being six feet tall, with a wheatish complexion and a rough American accent. He handed her two packets wrapped in thick tarpaulin plastic material, which contained 12 gold bars and cut pieces.
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Knowing the risks, Rao had planned her concealment in advance. She purchased an adhesive tape from a stationery shop near the airport and pre-cut strips of tape, anticipating the lack of scissors at the airport.
YouTube Tutorials on Hiding Gold
After collecting the gold, Ranya Rao headed straight to a nearby washroom to execute her plan. Using YouTube tutorials on concealing gold, she wrapped the gold bars around her calf muscles and waist using the tape, while the smaller pieces were hidden in her shoes and pockets.
She then boarded an Emirates flight to Bengaluru, where she managed to pass through airport security, allegedly with the help of an insider officer involved in the smuggling racket.
Frequent Dubai Trips Raised Suspicion
The DRI officials intercepted Ranya Rao just steps away from the airport exit after noticing her frequent international travel patterns. Investigations revealed that she had made 27 trips to Dubai in the last six months, with four visits within just 15 days, raising further suspicion about her links to an international gold smuggling network.
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The DRI has strongly opposed her bail plea, citing her elaborate planning, suspicious travel history, and potential involvement in a larger smuggling syndicate. They argue that her Dubai connections and methodical approach indicate that she was not acting alone.
As investigations continue, authorities are probing the gold smuggling syndicate’s links and possible involvement of insider officials at the airport.
