Kannada actress Ranya Rao was detained at Bengaluru's Kempegowda International Airport on Wednesday on charges of smuggling gold from Dubai. Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) officials stopped her after they had prior information about her frequent trips. During a search, they found almost 15 kilograms of gold worth around Rs. 12.56 crore concealed in her specially designed jacket.

As detectives probe deeper into the case, shocking discoveries are still emerging. Sources assert Rao had made about 30 visits to Dubai in the last year, reportedly returning with several kilograms of gold on every trip. It is reported she was being paid Rs. 1 lakh per kilogram of illicit gold, which could make her earn up to Rs. 12-13 lakh per trip.

To aid her operations, she reportedly employed specially designed jackets and waist belts to hide the contraband from detection. Officials had been tracking Rao for a while because of the frequency of overseas travel on her part. On Wednesday, just as she was nearing security clearance at the airport, DRI officials stopped her.

During interrogation, she first claimed to be the daughter of top Karnataka IPS officer Ramachandra Rao, who is the current DGP of Karnataka State Police Housing Corporation.

Notwithstanding this, officers went ahead with the search, which resulted in the recovery of the concealed gold bars.

The case has now widened beyond Rao's arrest, with the investigators seizing more assets worth Rs. 4.73 crore. This takes the total seizure in the case to Rs. 17.29 crore. Officials are also investigating possible accomplices who might have been part of the smuggling ring.

Ranya Rao's father, IPS officer Ramachandra Rao, spoke about his shock at the charges raised on his daughter. In an interview with ANI, he said,"I was also shocked and devastated when such an incident came to my notice through the media. I was not aware of any of these things, and like any other father, I was also shocked. She is not living with us, she is living separately with her husband, there must be some problems between them due to some family issues. Anyway, the law will do its job, there is no black mark in my career. I don't want to say anything more."

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