DRI seizes over 10 kg gold smuggled into India from Myanmar

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence has seized more than 10 kg gold smuggled into India from Myanmar and arrested four people from a hotel in West Bengal's Siliguri, the agency said today.

A total of 23 gold bars, collectively weighing 10.49 kg, were being smuggled by the four via the Indo-Myanmar border at Champhai in Mizoram when they were arrested on Wednesday, the DRI said in a statement.

The accused are native of Mizoram, it said, adding that they travelled by bus to Siliguri and were headed for Kolkata.

Last week, the agency seized 10 kg gold smuggled into India from Bhutan via the Jaigaon-Phuentsholling border.

That seizure was also made in Siliguri.

In June, 32 kg gold was seized near Siliguri. The gold was smuggled from China through the Nathu La border.

In the financial year 2017-2018, the DRI seized close to 430 kg gold and gold jewellery in the east and northeast region collectively valued at more than Rs 110 crore.

In the current financial year, it has seized over 162 kg gold and gold jewellery valued at close to Rs 53 crore, smuggled from Bangladesh, Myanmar,Bhutan and even China.

The seizures were made in West Bengal and northeastern states.