The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), which is leading the investigation into the high-profile gold smuggling case, strongly suspects that Kannada actress Ranya Rao has deep-rooted connections in Dubai. According to investigators, these Dubai-based contacts orchestrated the smuggling operation—bringing the gold bars into the airport and then discreetly handing them over to Rao before she boarded her flight to India.

Gold Wrapped Around Her Body

The agency has revealed shocking details about how Rao transported the smuggled gold. Officials claim that inside Dubai’s airport, she meticulously wrapped the gold bars around her inner thighs, shins, and waist using a combination of tape and crepe bandages. This method of concealment allowed her to avoid detection and travel with a significant quantity of smuggled gold undetected.

But the DRI isn’t buying the idea that Rao was merely a carrier. Investigators suspect she played a much larger role in the smuggling operation and was an active participant in the illegal gold trade, rather than just being used as a mule.

How Did Ranya Rao Escape Airport Security?

The big question in the case is how Rao managed to bypass stringent security checks at the airport without raising suspicion. According to DRI sources, she had access to an exclusive fast-track clearance system, which allowed her to slip through security without thorough screening.

Here’s how it worked:

• Upon landing at Bengaluru’s Kempegowda International Airport, a state protocol officer would assist her by picking up her luggage and facilitating a swift clearance process.
• Due to this preferential treatment, Rao was able to completely skip frisking and avoid metal detectors—a major loophole in security checks that smugglers could exploit.
• Unless security personnel had specific suspicions, passengers arriving from international flights were not subjected to rigorous scanning upon landing, making it easier for someone with connections to walk out undetected.

A senior official from the DRI confirmed, "It’s a clear case of protocol being misused."

Key Evidence: Locked Devices and Bruise Marks

The investigation has also uncovered incriminating details from three recorded statements made by Ranya Rao. According to sources, she has not outright denied most of the allegations, further strengthening the case against her.

Additionally, authorities have seized Rao’s mobile phone and laptop, which are believed to contain crucial evidence related to the smuggling ring. However, both devices remain locked, and forensic experts are working to gain access to them.

Meanwhile, a medical examination of the actress has revealed bruise marks on her face, raising further questions. The DRI has not disclosed the cause of these injuries, but they could be linked to the way the gold was strapped to her body or other aspects of the case that remain undisclosed.

What’s Next in the Investigation?

As the probe deepens, investigators are tracking down other individuals who may be part of this smuggling network. The agency has hinted that more arrests could follow, as Rao’s connections and financial transactions are closely examined.

With high-profile figures and potential security breaches now under scrutiny, this case is far from over. The twists and turns in Ranya Rao’s gold smuggling scandal continue to unravel, exposing a much larger web of organized crime that may have been operating undetected for years.