Daijiworld Media Network - New Delhi
New Delhi, Oct 11: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) on Sunday said it had seized around 7.8 kg of foreign-origin gold worth over Rs 11.5 crore in a series of intelligence-based operations across eastern India, uncovering smuggling routes linked to the Bangladesh border and arresting six people, including an alleged kingpin of a smuggling syndicate.
The operations exposed the use of road and railway networks to transport smuggled gold from border areas to major markets, particularly Kolkata.
In one operation, DRI officers intercepted a four-wheeler at Dankuni Toll Plaza in West Bengal. The vehicle, carrying four occupants, was travelling from Banpur, a town near the Bangladesh border, towards Kolkata.
A search of the vehicle and its occupants led to the recovery of 50 gold bars weighing around 6.8 kg and valued at nearly Rs 10 crore.
Some of the gold bars bore foreign markings. The occupants failed to produce documents establishing lawful possession of the precious metal, officials said.
During questioning, the accused allegedly admitted to smuggling foreign-origin gold into India through Bangladesh. The DRI said one of those arrested was the alleged kingpin of a smuggling syndicate operating in the Banpur border region.
In separate operations conducted on the same day, DRI teams intercepted train passengers at Malda Town Railway Station and New Jalpaiguri Railway Station in West Bengal. Searches resulted in the seizure of around 1 kg of foreign-origin gold valued at approximately Rs 1.5 crore.
The seized gold, in the form of bangles and bars, was allegedly being transported after being smuggled across the India-Bangladesh border through Tripura. The two passengers were arrested after they failed to produce valid documents establishing the legal procurement of the gold.
Officials said the latest seizures highlighted the continued use of border areas along Bangladesh, as well as key road and railway corridors connecting the Northeast with eastern markets, to transport smuggled gold.