Kannada actress detained at Bengaluru Airport for smuggling 14.8 kg of gold

In a significant crackdown on gold smuggling, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Bengaluru, detained Kannada actress Ranya Rao at Kempegowda International Airport after capturing 14.8 kg of gold from her possession.

Ranya, who arrived in Bengaluru on an Emirates flight from Dubai on Monday night, has been under DRI observation due to her frequent international visits. According to officials, she was able to covertly wear the majority of the gold while also hiding gold bars in her clothes. Ranya is the daughter of an IPS officer in Karnataka who has the rank of DGP.

Authorities are looking into whether she got any support from law enforcement. Based on initial investigations, Ranya would claim to be the DGP's daughter when she arrived at the airport and would call local police officers to take her home.

The DRI is currently looking into whether these officers were unintentionally involved in the smuggling network or had any participation at all. In this case, the DRI has not yet released an official statement, Indian Express reported.

Ranya has acted in South Indian films and is best known for her part opposite Kannada superstar Sudeep in the film "Maanikya." After observing that she had visited Dubai four times in the previous fifteen days, the DRI started tracking her whereabouts.

Acting on this intelligence, the CIA intercepted her upon arrival. Following her detention, Ranya was transported to the DRI headquarters in Bengaluru and interrogated further. After being brought before a Bengaluru court, she was placed under 14 days of judicial custody.