Gold bars worth Rs 4 Cr seized
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, April 26 2022:
Amidst the report of seizure of 65 gold bars worth Rs 5,76,72,550 at Imphal airport yesterday, 50 other pieces of gold bars have been seized from the possession of two individuals at Thamnapokpi along Imphal-Moreh highway at around 2 pm yesterday.
The value of the gold bars weighing 8.30 Kg has been estimated to be Rs 4,43,95,200 .
Briefing media persons at the office of Customs Division, Imphal this morning, Customs Assistant Commissioner HL Songate said they received specific information from the Superintendent Customs Preventive Force Churachandpur yesterday morning about illegal transportation of gold bars along Imphal-Moreh road concealed inside the body of a two-wheeler moped without registration number plate.
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It was also informed that a person of thin built and wearing red and blue checked shirt was riding the two-wheeler and it was likely to reach Thamnapokpi at around 1 pm yesterday.
Acting on the information, a team of Anti�Smuggling Unit, Customs Division, Imphal rushed to Thamnapokpi and waited for the moped and later at around 2 pm, the team saw two persons coming from Moreh side on a moped without registration plate.
The team stopped them immediately.
When enquired whether they were carrying gold bars in the moped, the riders replied in negative.
Nonetheless, considering the remoteness of the place and security requirements, the suspected smugglers were brought up to Customs Office located at Sangakpham, opposite to DAV Public school along with the moped.
At the office, the moped was thoroughly inspected and while checking the air filter compartment of the moped, five packets containing 10 gold bars each were found concealed wrapped with adhesive tapes inside the air filter.
In total, 50 gold bars were recovered from the possession of the alleged accused persons weighing 8.300 Kg worth Rs 4,43,95,200 and a case has been registered against them for commission of offence under different sections of the Customs Act.
Later, the alleged accused persons were produced before the Court of CJM Chandel and the Court remanded them into judicial custody till May 10 .