MARCH 6, 2025 - Kannada actress Ranya Rao was arrested at Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport on Wednesday for allegedly smuggling gold from Dubai. The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) seized nearly 15 kilograms of gold bars worth Rs. 12.56 crore from her possession, exposing a shocking smuggling network.

As the investigation progresses, new and startling details are emerging. Rao, who is the stepdaughter of senior Karnataka IPS officer Ramachandra Rao, reportedly made frequent trips to Dubai. Sources indicate that she traveled to Dubai 30 times in the past year, allegedly bringing back kilos of gold on each trip.

According to a report by India Today, Ranya Rao was paid ₹1 lakh per kilogram of smuggled gold, meaning she allegedly earned around ₹12-13 lakh per trip. With multiple trips, her total earnings from gold smuggling could amount to crores of rupees.

Authorities are investigating whether Rao was part of a larger organized smuggling network. Reports suggest that she used her celebrity status to evade suspicion and may have had associates helping her transport and distribute the gold in India.

The DRI has taken Rao into custody for further questioning to uncover details of her alleged involvement in the smuggling operation. Authorities are also probing potential connections between her and international smuggling syndicates.

The case has sent shockwaves through the Kannada film industry and the public, raising questions about how such a large-scale operation went undetected for so long. The investigation is expected to reveal more names and connections in the coming days.