DRI seizes gold worth Rs 1.8 crore hidden in luggage trolley, probe underway

New Delhi: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has seized 1.3 kg of gold biscuits worth Rs 1.8 crore in a smuggling operation involving luggage trolleys. Two accused transported the gold from Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, and concealed the biscuits by sticking them to luggage trolleys.

The accused allegedly targeted unsuspecting passengers who picked up these trolleys and crossed customs. They reportedly followed the passengers and later retrieved the gold from the trolleys, using innocent travellers as unwitting carriers without their knowledge.

Acting on intelligence inputs, DRI officials seized the gold. The investigation is expected to focus on the alleged smuggling network and the modus operandi used to transport the gold through unsuspecting passengers.

Earlier, on October 4, the DRI had seized a cumulative 15.59 kg of narcotic drugs, including amphetamine, cocaine and heroin, in three separate intelligence-led operations, the Finance Ministry said. Five people were arrested under the provisions of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.

In one operation, the DRI, in coordination with the Central Bureau of Narcotics (CBN), had intercepted a car suspected of carrying amphetamine at the Ujjain-Dewas Toll Plaza in Madhya Pradesh.

When signalled to stop, the driver had allegedly broken through the barricade and sped away. The officers pursued the vehicle in a high-speed chase lasting approximately 1.5 hours before intercepting it near Bicholi Mardana in Indore.

A detailed search of the vehicle led to the discovery of the contraband concealed inside the spare tyre mounted on the rear door of the Thar, according to the statement.

Earlier, on October 2, the DRI's Mumbai Zonal Unit had busted an international syndicate involved in smuggling 8.5 kg of gold worth Rs 12.65 crore into India and trafficking 1,168 carats of diamonds worth Rs 1.09 crore out of the country to Dubai through Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport (CSMIA).

The DRI had arrested eight members of the syndicate for their alleged involvement in trafficking valuables into and out of the country.

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