DRI seizes 32 kg gold smuggled from China

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence has seized 32 kg gold worth over Rs ten crore smuggled from China through the Sino-India border in Sikkim.

Acting on a tip off, the officers of the DRI intercepted a car coming from Gangtok at Siliguri yesterday and detained three men, according to a statement issued by the DRI.

The trio, who are natives of Maharashtra, admitted that they were carrying gold bars of foreign origin that had been smuggled into India from China through the Indo-China border in Sikkim.

The three persons were taken to DRI office at Siliguri where, after a search, three specially tailored cloth belts having several pockets and secured by metal zip fasteners, were found to be tied around their waist, it said.

On opening the belts, a total of 32 pieces of gold bars bearing foreign inscription were recovered, the statement said.

Each of the gold bars was found to be weighing around one kilogramme, bringing the total haul to 32 kg.

On further enquiry, it was revealed that the intercepted persons have temporary residence in Siliguri, which was searched by the DRI officers earlier today.

The officers recovered Indian currency worth Rs 20.19 lakh from the searches which the intercepted persons identified as a part of sale proceed of the smuggled gold, it said.

The 32 kg gold, which has been seized, is assessed to be worth Rs 10.52 crore, the DRI said.

This is one of the biggest gold seizures by DRI in the recent past in east and northeast India.

In the current financial year so far in the region spread over West Bengal and the north eastern states, the DRI has seized over 137 kg of gold and gold jewellery valued at close to Rs 24 crore in the market, smuggled from Bangladesh, Myanmar, Bhutan and even from China.

In the previous financial year (2017-2018), the DRI has seized close to 430 kg of gold and gold jewellery in the east and northeast region collectively valued at more than Rs 100 crore.