The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) and Indian Coast Guards, in a joint operation, have seized over 32-kilogram gold worth Rs. 20.21 crores in two cases in the state of Tamil Nadu. With the help of the Coast Guard Preventive Division, intercepted two fishing boats and seized the foreign-origin gold v that was smuggled into India from Sri Lanka through the coast.
Directorate of Revenue Intelligence, Chennai, gathered specific information that various gangs utilising fishing boats are smuggling foreign-origin gold from Sri Lanka through the Vedhalai coast in Ramnad (TN). In light of this, the DRI officers deployed intensive coastal surveillance with the aid of ICG and located the alleged fishing vessels.
After a sea chase, a group of DRI officers and Coast Guard officers caught one of the suspected fishing boats on the morning of May 30, 2023. The people on the fishing boat dropped the illicit package into the water during the interception.
With the assistance of Coast Guard specialist divers, a contraband package containing 11.6 kg of gold of foreign origin valued at Rs. 7.13 crore was recovered from the seafloor and seized together with the boat used to smuggle the gold.
On the evening of May 30, 2023, the DRI Officers on board an Indian customs patrol boat approached the suspected second fishing boat and observed from a distance that its occupants were handing a package to two recipients who were standing by the shore.
Both the recipients attempted to flee into the night by sprinting away with the illegal gold after witnessing the Indian Customs boat rapidly approaching them from the seaside. In the dark, the officers pursued the receivers before apprehending them.
Recently, the DRI has confiscated 18.1 kg of ambergris along the Tuticorin Coast, which is estimated to be worth 31.67 crore (approximately) on the black market from the rackets who tried to smuggle it.
Read More: DRI seizes 18.1 kg Ambergris worth Rs. 31.67 crore at Tuticorin Coast
Support our journalism by subscribing to Taxscan premium. Follow us on Telegram for quick updates
