Gold biscuits seized from former Mizoram legislator's son

Sleuths have seized 40 gold biscuits of foreign origin smuggled into India and valued at Rs 2.16 crore in the international market from the son of a former Mizoram lawmaker, a Directorate of Revenue Intelligence statement said on Sunday.

The gold biscuits smuggled out of Myanmar and weighing 6.64 kg were found in the backpack of Lalhmangaiha, who hails from Tuiral in Aizawl, when DRI officials raided an area in Burrabazar in the city on Saturday.

He has been arrested and presented before a magistrate.

The DRI press note said Lalhmangaiha, a college drop out and son of an ex-MLA, was presently staying at a rented flat in north Kolkata.

Preliminary investigation by DRI sleuths have revealed that it was not the first time that Lalhmangaiha has indulged in smuggling activities.

"He confessed that the lure of easy money and lack of employment opportunities made him commit this crime," the DRI said.

Further investigations were on.

A few days back, acting on specific intelligence, the DRI officers apprehended two persons travelling by Howrah-bound Kampur Express at New Jalpaiguri station and seized from them 24 gold biscuits collectively weighing 3.984 kg and valued at approximately Rs 1.26 crore in the international market.

The gold biscuits, concealed inside the handle of their trolley bags, are believed to have been smuggled into India from Myanmar via Zowkhatar-Aizawl-Guwahati route and were meant for Kolkata.

The two apprehended persons - Prasiddhanarayan Singh, 35, and Kanhaiya Lal Baraye, 43, - hailing from Deoria district of Uttar Pradesh, have been arrested under Customs Act.

They have been sent to 14 days in judicial custody by a magistrate.

The DRI so far this financial year has seized over 273 kg of gold valued at close to Rs 81 crore in the international market in the region spread over West Bengal and the northeastern States.

The gold has been smuggled from Bangladesh, Myanmar and Bhutan.

--IANS

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