Chennai: Sleuths of Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) seized 9.12 kg gold bars, smuggled through Indo-Myanmar border, from a two passengers who arrived here by Howrah-Chennai Mail on Monday. The seized gold is worth Rs 2.67 crore.
A detailed study by DRI sleuths revealed that gold was being smuggled by land through the Indo-Myanmar border with the assistance of locals. It was also established that smugglers had been taking different routes on the border to evade customs and other agencies. The agency also learnt there were people who were part of the smuggling racket here. They were making frequent trips to Kolkata and returning to city by train with a sizeable quantity of gold over a period of time.
Based on intelligence inputs, DRI officials identified two suspected passengers, Maria Selvaraj from Chennai and a woman passenger who was hired to act as his wife.
The duo arrived here on Monday. They were isolated by DRI sleuths who took them in their custody. The duo admitted they were in possession of smuggled gold, bearing foreign markings - Valcambi Suisse. The gold bars were concealed by black adhesive tape.
Preliminary investigation suggest Maria Selvaraj had received the gold from a man of Myanmar origin in Kolkata. He had been asked to take a woman with him to act as his wife and to make the trip look like a legitimate tour. It was also learnt that he did not know the actual owner of the contraband.
