Media Release

Mangaluru, Jan 14: The officials of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) Bengaluru and Mangaluru in a coordinated effort seized contraband gold weighing around five kilograms and valued at Rs 2 crore at Air Cargo Complex, Old Airport in Bajpe, on Monday, January 13.

A unique modus was used to smuggle the gold. The gold was concealed deftly inside five heavy metal sprockets. The gold was so well concealed that upon close physical inspection, only a slight hint of tampering could be noticed.

According to a press release by DRI (Mangaluru) deputy director Shreyas KM, the metal sprockets were imported by M/s Swaroop Mineral Pvt Ltd of Udupi. The company citied ‘mining conveyor drive chain’ as the purpose for import.

However, the DRI officials acted swiftly after they received a tip-off. The suspicion proved true when the sprockets were scanned. The officials retrieved the gold with the help of local mechanic and lathe machine at Bajpe.

Upon examination by the authorized jeweller, five round plates weighing 4,995 grams by net weight after discounting the weight of aluminium coating were retrieved. The gold was measured to have 24 Karat purity and currently is valued at Rs 2 crore. The contraband gold was later seized by the officers of DRI under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962. The active director of M/s Swaroop Mineral Resources Manohar Kumar Poojari involved in the case was arrested at Bengaluru on the same day in a coordinated effort by DRI Bengaluru. Lohith Shriyan, a person hailing from Ashoknagar looking after the logistics of smuggling was also arrested by DRI Mangaluru.

Further investigation in the case is in progress to unearth the other members of the syndicate and the investors in the case.