New Delhi (ANI): In a joint operation, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) with the help of Indian Coast Guard (ICG), Mandapam and Ramnad Customs, Preventive Division intercepted two fishing boats and seized 32.869 kg of foreign origin . Gold price Rs. According to an official statement on Thursday, Rs 20.21 crore was smuggled into India from Sri Lanka via the coastal route.
Specific intelligence was developed by DRI, Chennai, that gold of foreign origin is being smuggled from Sri Lanka through Vedhalai coast in Ramnad (Tamil Nadu) by various gangs using fishing boats. Accordingly, DRI officials with the help of ICG carried out extensive coastal surveillance and identified suspected fishing boats, read a statement from the Finance Ministry.
A team of DRI officials and Coast Guard officials intercepted one of the suspected fishing boats on the morning of 30 May 2023 after a chase in the sea. During the interception, men aboard a fishing boat dropped the contraband parcel into the sea.
The restricted parcel contains 11.6 kg of foreign origin gold valued at Rs. Rs 7.13 crore was recovered from the sea bed with the help of expert divers of the Coast Guard and it was seized along with a boat used for gold smuggling.
The second suspicious fishing vessel was identified on the night of May 30, 2023, according to the statement. Thereafter, the DRI officials boarded an Indian Customs patrol boat and proceeded towards the suspected fishing boat and observed from a distance that the boat’s captors were handing over a parcel to two receivers waiting on the shore. On seeing the fast approaching Indian Customs boat from the sea, both the receivers tried to escape in the dark carrying the smuggled gold. The officers chased the receivers in the dark and overpowered them.
On questioning people, eight packets were found in a jacket from them. On detailed investigation, 21.269 kg of foreign origin gold worth Rs. 13.08 crore from individuals and a boat used for smuggling gold and a two-wheeler were seized along with it.
Further investigation is underway. (ANI)
Gold worth Rs 20 crore smuggled from Sri Lanka recovered in joint operation
