New Delhi, September 24: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), working with the Border Security Force (BSF), has seized around 12 kilograms of foreign-origin gold worth approximately ₹17 crore during a series of operations targeting smuggling through the India-Bangladesh border.
The seizures were carried out in West Bengal and Bihar between September 10 and 21. The gold was recovered from locations near the international border and from a passenger travelling by train, according to the Press Information Bureau.
During an operation on September 20 and 21, personnel of the BSF’s 161 Battalion recovered 27 pieces of unclaimed foreign-origin gold weighing around 3.15 kilograms near the India-Bangladesh Border Road under Border Outpost Gongra in West Bengal.
The DRI subsequently took over the proceedings and seized the gold under the Customs Act, 1962.
In another operation on September 21, BSF personnel stationed at Border Outpost Mahakhola recovered 10 pieces of 24-carat foreign-origin gold weighing approximately 1.16 kilograms.
The gold had allegedly been concealed near a handpump at Hathkhola village, located ahead of the India-Bangladesh border fence. The consignment was handed over to the DRI and seized under Section 110 of the Customs Act.
Earlier, between September 10 and 11, BSF personnel recovered 48 foreign-origin gold bars weighing around 5.9 kilograms near the border fence in the Border Outpost Pathergata area. The consignment was later taken over and seized by the DRI.
In Patna, DRI officials intercepted a train passenger and recovered 15 gold bars and four small cut pieces of foreign-origin gold weighing approximately 1.71 kilograms.
The gold was allegedly concealed inside cloth knee caps wrapped around both legs of the passenger. Investigators found indications that the consignment had been smuggled from Bangladesh. The passenger was subsequently arrested.
The coordinated operations were aimed at disrupting networks involved in transporting and distributing smuggled foreign-origin gold through the Bangladesh route.
