Over 32 kg gold smuggled from Sri Lanka seized in Chennai
In a span of less than 24 hours, officers of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Chennai Zonal Unit, seized a total of 32.249 kg of gold valued at Indian rupees 102.15 million. It was smuggled into India by sea and being transported to Chennai for sale.
Six people were apprehended in connection with the case and all of them in their statements admitted that they purposely transported the smuggled gold to Chennai.
The gold was being smuggled from Sri Lanka through coastal Tamil Nadu.
On Tuesday evening, DRI officials kept a strict vigil in the bylanes of Mannady and observed a person on a two-wheeler receiving a heavy suspicious looking package.
The receiver of the contraband was apprehended by the officials. After detailed examination the gold was found to weigh 12.149 kg.
The accused were staying in a budget lodge at Mannady. DRI officials found a lady passenger carrying the smuggled gold and handing it over to another intermediary who had been staying at the lodge.
In an similar incident, DRI conducted a thorough search of a private bus moving from Keelakarai to Chennai, where a person was suspected of carrying smuggled gold. The officials quickly identified him and his baggage and recovered 8.1 kg of gold from him.
In all the operations, a total 32.249 kg of gold was seized and six persons were arrested by DRI under the provisions of the Customs Act.
DRI warned that gold smuggling has been a recurrent issue in South India, and the coastal areas of Tamil Nadu are particularly prone to this illicit activity, due to its geographical proximity to Sri Lanka.
The previous year itself saw DRI Chennai Zonal Unit seizing more than 105 kg of gold smuggled via Sri Lanka through the Tamil Nadu coast.
The areas most vulnerable to smuggling are Tiruchendur, Rameswaram and Vedaranyam.
Apart from the enforcement measures, the DRI has also taken up the issues of smuggling and other customs related matters at the policy level during the 28th Indo-Sri Lanka DG Level talks at New Delhi in February this year.
As a result, both administrations had firmly resolved to combat smuggling. The Sri Lanka Customs and the Sri Lankan Navy have also stepped up efforts to curb smuggling of gold, narcotics, and other contraband.
In April, Sri Lanka increased the rate of import duty of gold to 15 per cent (from the earlier rate of 10 per cent), in an attempted move to curb smuggling.
(Source: India Today)
Latest Headlines in Sri Lanka
- Imported milk powder price reduction uncertain amidst importers’ disagreement April 25, 2024
- Sri Lanka and Iran sign five agreements to boost bilateral relations April 25, 2024
- 12th International Meeting on Security Matters: High-Ranking officials convenes in Saint Petersburg April 24, 2024
- Uma Oya Development Project inaugurated April 24, 2024
- Damitha Abeyratne and husband granted bail April 24, 2024
Is this LTT Gold?
It is common knowledge that KP handed over all the LTT Gold to R Family after he was abducted illegally from Malaysia and brought to SL.
Interesting Mr. Lance Fernando. According to ypu when KP was ‘abducted illegally’ KP handed over ‘all’ the LTTE gold. So, Malaysian government was keeping all LTTE gold! So, KP put all these Gold in his luggage and brought to SL, and handed over to Rajapakse family. Golden Horses, Money in Dubai banks, Hotels in Dubai, Helicopters, Lamborghinis….all these fairy tails worked before 8 January 2015. Not any more Mr. Lamce Fernando.