Sandalwood Actress Ranya Rao Arrested At Bengaluru Airport For Smuggling 14.8 Kg Gold
The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has arrested Kannada actress Ranya Rao at Bengaluru International Airport after she was found in possession of 14.8 kg of gold, officials confirmed on Tuesday.
Following her arrest on Monday night, she was presented before an economic offences court, which remanded her in judicial custody for 14 days, they added.
According to officials, Rao had arrived from Dubai on an Emirates flight and had been under surveillance due to her frequent international travel.
Investigators revealed that she had allegedly smuggled the gold by wearing a substantial portion of it while concealing gold bars within her clothing.
Authorities became suspicious after noting that she had travelled to Dubai four times within a span of 15 days, prompting them to launch a targeted operation upon her return.
Preliminary inquiries suggest that the actress may have attempted to use her connections to evade customs checks.
Reports indicate that upon landing, she allegedly claimed to be the daughter of Karnataka's Director General of Police and sought assistance from local police personnel to escort her home.
Officials are now investigating whether any law enforcement officers, including her IPS relative, were aware of her activities or were misled into aiding her.
Following her arrest, Rao was taken to the DRI headquarters in Bengaluru's HBR Layout for questioning.
Authorities are now determining whether she was acting alone or was part of a wider smuggling network operating between Dubai and India.
Rao, best known for starring opposite Kannada superstar Sudeep in *Maanikya* (2014), has also appeared in several other South Indian films.
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