The arrest of Kannada actor Ranya Rao at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport for allegedly smuggling gold from Dubai has sent shockwaves across the industry. Reports suggest that over the past year, she had traveled to the Saudi city nearly 30 times, allegedly bringing back kilos of gold on each trip.
During the investigation, it was revealed that she was paid Rs 1 lakh per kilogram of smuggled gold, according to sources cited by India Today. With each trip carrying approximately 12 to 13 kg of gold, her earnings reportedly ranged between Rs 12-13 lakh per trip. The elaborate smuggling operation involved her taping the gold to her body and using specially modified jackets and waist belts to evade airport security.
Ranya Rao, who is the stepdaughter of Director General of Police (Karnataka State Police Housing Corporation) Ramachandra Rao, had been under surveillance due to her frequent travels to Dubai. Authorities had been tracking her movements closely, and she was finally intercepted by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) officials on her return to India. Just when she was a step away from clearing airport security, officials swooped in, bringing an end to her alleged smuggling run.
The case has sparked widespread discussions about the involvement of public figures in illegal activities, leaving many in disbelief over the extent of the operation. As investigations continue, more details are expected to emerge regarding the network behind this smuggling racket.
