Customs seizes gold worth Rs 4.43 cr
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, April 26 2022:
Under the auspices of Customs Division Imphal, the Customs Preventive Force, Churachandpur has seized Rs 4.43 crore worth of gold from two people from Thamnapokpi area.
The two people have been identified as Sapam Hemochandra Singh (26) s/o (L) Sapam Tompok Singh of Khongjom Sapam Maning Leikai and Charanga Phunthil Maring (28) s/o Charanga Mothil Maring of Khunbi Tuinem, Machi Sub-Division, Chandel District.
Addressing a press meet at the office of Customs Division, Imphal here on Tuesday, Customs Division Imphal assistant commissioner HL Songate informed that around 9 am Monday, the Superintendent of Customs Preventive Force, Churachandpur received reliable information about the movement of two people smuggling gold while riding a non-registered TVS N Torque (Red).
The special tip-off revealed that the two gold smugglers would be arriving at Thamnapokpi area around 1 pm.
Accordingly, a team of Customs officers set up a trap in the area and detained the two people when they arrived at around 2pm.When questioned, the duo denied smuggling any gold.
However, as the area was remote and posed a possible security risk, the team took the two people to the Customs Office at Sangakpam.
At the office, the team checked the vehicle properly and found 5 packets containing 10 gold biscuits each in the air filter compartment.
The gold weighed 8.300 kg in total and is valued at around Rs 4,43,95,200, Songate conveyed.
The assistant commissioner then informed a case had been registered against Sapam Hemochandra Singh and Charanga Phunthil Maring as per the provisions under Customs Act, 1965.An investigation has also been launched to apprehend all other people involved in the matter, he added.
Mention may be made that sleuths of Customs Division, Imphal had on Monday seized gold biscuits weighing 10.96 kg from Tulihal airport and arrested one Wangkhem Ibungobi Singha of Awang Khunou Maning Leikai.