More Than Three Tons Of Illegally Smuggled Gold Seized in FY18, 103 per Cent Higher Than Previous Fiscal

In an operation launched by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) on 6 and 7 December, 66 kg of smuggled gold has been seized, PIB informed in a press release. The gold is estimated to be worth Rs 21 crore.

This is a part of the crackdown on the organised smuggling syndicate. Four people have been arrested so far across Lucknow, Kolkata and Siliguri. Additionally, four cars have been seized.

The gold was being smuggled through the Indo-Bhutan border in West Bengal. The cars used by the syndicate had been modified according to the necessities that arose and the gold was smuggled in the vehicles.

Between April and November 2018, nearly 2.63 tons of gold has been seized by the Indian customs authorities. In this financial year of 2018-19, several cases have been registered against gold smuggling in the country. In financial year (FY) 2017-18 (April to March), about 3.22 tons of gold has been seized by the officials. At this rate, it is higher by 103 per cent than what was seized in FY 2016-17.