Bengaluru, Karnataka: Kannada actress Ranya Rao has confessed to smuggling gold and strapping 14 gold bars to thighs to evade airport authorities, according to media reports. 

According to reports, following her arrest at Bengaluru International Airport on March 3, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) uncovered that she had travelled to Dubai 27 times and visited multiple countries, raising suspicions of deeper links to smuggling operations.

Rao, the stepdaughter of Director General of Police (Karnataka State Police Housing Corporation) Ramachandra Rao, was arrested after being caught with 14.2 kg of gold worth ₹12.86 crore. The arrest followed prior intelligence received by the DRI, leading to her interception at Kempegowda International Airport upon arrival from Dubai.

According to India Today TV, she has travelled to the Dubai 30 times in the past year, four times within just 15 days, allegedly smuggling gold on each trip.

It was also reported that DRI is investigating whether Rao had a more significant role within the smuggling network and if influential figures were involved. The officials have also raised concerns over the necessity of her frequent international travel, as she neither holds a professional job nor has ongoing film projects requiring such extensive movement.