Gujarat: DRI seizes 3kg gold, diamonds and watches from SEZ

AHMEDABAD: The Surat regional unit of Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) seized 3kg of gold, 122 carats of diamonds, and branded watches at the Surat Special Economic Zone (SEZ) at Sachin. The consignment was declared as 'stainless-steel bracelets', said investigators.
"Specific information was received by officers of DRI Surat Regional Unit suggesting that a jewellery unit was attempting to smuggle high-value cargo into India through Surat SEZ by mis-declaring it as bracelets and diverting the same outside SEZ into the domestic area without payment of customs duty," stated a press release by DRI.
The search led to three bars each of 1kg of gold, three branded watches and 122 carats of diamonds along with parts of watches like dials, straps, etc. The value of the seized goods is estimated to be around Rs 1.75 crore.
In the recent times, DRI has registered cases involving smuggling of gold, diamonds, and premium branded watches from Surat SEZ worth more than Rs 200 crore, said officials.