NEW DELHI: A major crackdown on cross-border gold smuggling has exposed the continued use of the India-Bangladesh route to move foreign-origin gold into India, with the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), working alongside the Border Security Force (BSF), seizing around 12 kg of gold worth nearly Rs 17 crore in multiple operations across West Bengal and Bihar.
The seizures were made from locations along the India-Bangladesh border as well as from a train passenger, highlighting the different methods allegedly used by smuggling networks to move high-value consignments into the country.
Border operations uncover gold hidden along smuggling routes
Between September 20 and 21, BSF personnel of the 161 Battalion recovered 27 pieces of foreign-origin gold weighing around 3.15 kg near the India-Bangladesh Border Road in the area under BOP Gongra in West Bengal.
The gold was subsequently taken over by the DRI and seized under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962.
In another operation on September 21, BSF personnel at BOP Mahakhola recovered 10 pieces of 24-karat foreign-origin gold weighing around 1.16 kg. The consignment had allegedly been concealed near a handpump in Hathkhola village, ahead of the India-Bangladesh border fence.
The DRI subsequently seized the recovered gold under Section 110 of the Customs Act, 1962.
The latest seizures follow another major recovery earlier this month. On September 10 and 11, BSF personnel recovered 48 foreign-origin gold bars weighing around 5.9 kg near the border fence in the BOP Pathergata area. The consignment was subsequently taken over and seized by the DRI.
Gold hidden around train passenger’s legs
The crackdown also extended beyond the border areas. In Patna, DRI officers intercepted a train passenger and recovered 15 gold bars and four tiny cut pieces, together weighing around 1.71 kg.
Investigators found the gold concealed in a cloth knee cap wrapped around both of the passenger’s legs. According to the investigation, the gold had been smuggled from Bangladesh. The passenger was arrested.
Rs 17 crore seized in multiple operations
Taken together, the seizures amount to around 12 kg of foreign-origin gold valued at approximately Rs 17 crore. The operations underline the continuing efforts of the DRI and BSF to disrupt the networks involved in the smuggling, transportation and distribution of foreign-origin gold through the Bangladesh route.
With consignments allegedly being hidden along border areas and concealed on individuals travelling by train, the seizures point to the varied methods being used to move smuggled gold deeper into the country.
The coordinated operations by the two agencies have dealt another blow to attempts to use the India-Bangladesh border as a conduit for clandestine gold movement.
