Hyderabad, May 3 (Agency) Officials from the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) seized 5.96 kg of gold valued at Rs 4.31 crore and arrested four persons in this connection. Acting on intelligence indicating the movement of smuggled gold on the Vijayawada-Hyderabad highway, DRI agents intercepted a Ford EcoSport car coming from Kolkata, carrying four individuals.
The interception took place at the Panthangi Toll Plaza, Lingoji Guda, Choutuppal in Telangana on Thursday, a DRI statement said on Friday. Upon questioning the occupants and inspecting the vehicle, authorities discovered 35 pieces of smuggled gold bars weighing 5.964 kgs, ingeniously concealed in a secret cavity within the vehicle. The contraband’s value is estimated at Rs. 4.31 crore. The gold, along with the vehicle, was confiscated, and the four occupants were arrested under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962. Investigations are ongoing, the statement added.