Kolkata, Jan 25 (IANS): In a multi-pronged operation, Directorate of Revenue Intelligence sleuths have busted a smuggling syndicate and seized over 10 kgs of smuggled gold, around 429 kgs of silver and Rs 20.16 lakhs in cash with the total value of the seizure reaching Rs 6.42 crore.
Two persons were arrested, a DRI official said on Saturday.
Acting on intelligence inputs that a syndicate under the control of one Anurag Jalan was actively involved in smuggling of gold in biscuit form from Bangladesh through the Indo-Bangladesh border in 24 Parganas North district, which they melted and changed into bar form. The DRI sleuths searched three premises in central Kolkata's Burrabazar on Thursday.
Jalan and one of his staff have been arrested under the provisions of the Customs Act.
In the course of the search at Jalan Bullion and Jewellers on 43 Nalini Seth Road 23 HDPE (High-density polyethylene) and cotton bags containing white coloured silver granules of foreign origin, 505 pieces of mixed white coloured coins of different shapes and sizes made of silver of foreign origin, 20 yellow coloured metallic coins made of smuggled gold of foreign origin and Rs.20, 16,100 in Indian currency - believed to be the sale proceeds of smuggled gold - were seized.
Anurag Jalan during the search revealed he also owned another premises in Sonapatti.
In the course of the search there, four pieces of rectangular bars of smuggled gold of foreign origin, collectively weighing 4000 grams and valued at Rs. 1,62,00,000, were recovered.
During the search at Roopam Sarees, four metallic bars and five cut pieces of gold of foreign origin having a total weight of 6356.05 gms valued at Rs. 2,57,42,002 were seized.
The total value of the seized goods including gold, silver and Indian currency comes to Rs. 6.42 crores.
Jalan's name also featured as the key person in two earlier gold smuggling cases handled by the DRI in 2019 and the current year.
In the current financial year so far, more than 266 kgs of gold worth Rs 111.72 crore have been seized by the DRI in West Bengal and Sikkim region.