Bhubaneswar: At least one kilogram of gold worth Rs 71 lakh was seized while being smuggled was seized in Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar. The Custom Department present at the airport arrested the smuggler.
According to sources, the smuggler was hiding the gold in capsule in his body. Reportedly, while checking, no gold was found, but the security personnel present at the scene suspected something wrong due to his behaviour.
The custom department personnel detained the smuggler and initiated interrogation. During investigation, they found capsules that contained more than 1 kg of gold.
Primary investigation suggest that the smuggler has come from Thailand and was on his way to Mumbai. Further investigation into the matter is underway.
Earlier, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) seized at least 9 kg gold worth Rs 6.5 crore at the Manguli Toll Plaza in Cuttack district of Odisha on March 30th. Based on a specific input regarding movement of foreign origin smuggled gold from Kolkata by car, the officers of DRI apprehended two persons from a Hyundai Creta 1.6 CRDI SX Car near Manguli Toll Plaza in Cuttack.
While searching the said vehicle, a total of 65 pieces of smuggled gold bullion, weighing 9180 grams, valued at Rs.6,44,46,164/-, were recovered, which was ingeniously concealed in a cavity of the vehicle.
The recovered gold and the vehicle was seized and the 2 persons were arrested under the provisions of Customs Act, 1962.
Ms Kalinga