19 gold biscuits worth Rs 66L recovered

Acting on a tip-off, the Customs officials conducted raids and arrested two persons for their alleged involvement in a gold smuggling racket. They have been identified as Tushar Kadam and Sanjay Chouhan.

According to the preliminary investigation, the police and Customs officials suspect that the accused might be a part of an international gold smuggling racket. There are some other persons involved in it too.

During interrogation, the police came to know that the accused changed their route following some recent incidents in which smugglers who brought gold bars and biscuits from abroad were intercepted at the Calcutta airport. The duo started smuggling gold along the India-Bangladesh border in certain districts. They also used to sell gold in various parts of the country which were brought from Dubai.

It may be mentioned that there were multiple attempts to bring gold to the city from Dubai as the price of the yellow metal is higher in India. As there was stringent surveillance in all the airports, it has become difficult for the smugglers to bring in gold from abroad.

Police have seized around 19 gold biscuits weighing around 2.85 kg for which the market value is around Rs 66 lakh. Customs officials and cops were trying to know if some other persons are involved in the racket.

The Customs officials suspect that it might have connection with other gold smuggling rackets operating from the country. Raids are being conducted.

Involvement of Bangladeshi nationals in this incident is not being ruled out.