Visakhapatnam: Gold smuggling racket busted
In Short
The operation exposed an ingenious concealment method the accused employed to evade detection.
Share :
Photo for representational purpose only.
Visakhapatnam: Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) officials busted a major gold smuggling operation in Visakhapatnam, seizing foreign-origin gold worth approximately Rs.8.98 crore and arresting two smugglers.
The operation exposed an ingenious concealment method the accused employed to evade detection. According to preliminary information, DRI officials intercepted the vehicle in Visakhapatnam while the gold was being transported from Kolkata to Hyderabad.
The DRI officials suspected that the gold was smuggled from the Bangladesh border region before being routed towards Hyderabad.
To escape the attention of enforcement agencies, the accused concealed the precious metal in a specially fabricated secret compartment beneath a car seat. The hidden chamber was designed to facilitate the clandestine transportation of the gold while avoiding routine checks.
During the inspection, DRI officials discovered and seized 5.832-kg of pure gold (24-carat), valued at approximately Rs 8.98 crore. The inspection represented a significant breakthrough in the fight against organised gold smuggling and illegal cross-border trade. The gold was seized under the provisions of the Customs Act, and the two accused were arrested in connection with the alleged smuggling operation. They were subsequently remanded to judicial custody.
DRI officials have launched a deeper investigation to establish the gold’s origin, identify the individuals and networks involved and uncover the larger smuggling chain behind the operation.
