Hyderabad: Officers from the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) seized 25 kg of gold on the outskirts of the city worth about $ 11.63 million and arrested three people in that regard.
Based on specific intelligence, DRI officers, Hyderabad Zonal Unit (HZU), patrolled the Vijayawada-Hyderabad highway and intercepted an ISUZU car (SUV) in the early hours of the morning at Panthangi Toll Plaza, about 55 km from Hyderabad off.
The SUV with Assam registration has traveled more than 2500 km
Guwahati in the direction of Hyderabad ahead of the elections have bound the countries Assam and West Bengal, a DRI statement said on Wednesday.
Furthermore, 25 kg of foreign-labeled 1 KG gold bars from four different companies, namely Heareus, Suisse, Melter Assayer and Valcambi, were recovered from a specially made cavity inside the car during a detailed examination of the car.
The gold was ingeniously concealed in the dashboard by removing life-saving airbag intended for the front seat passenger, and the cavity was used for concealing gold.
The cavity was carefully sealed with the dashboard cover using fevistick to prevent any suspicion during roadside checks.
Preliminary investigation has revealed that the smuggled foreign marked gold was handed over in Guwahati in Assam to be delivered in Hyderabad.
A total of 25 kg of gold worth 11.63 Crore and the ISUZU car worth Rs. 25 lakhs used for the concealment of gold under the Customs Act, 1962 were seized.
Three people traveling in the car and involved in the smuggling of the gold were arrested and detained.
Further investigation is underway, the release added.
Source: The Siasat Daily