A huge consignment of gold bars was seized during a joint operation by Aizawl Battalion of 23 Sector Assam Rifles under the aegis of Inspector General Assam Rifles (East) in coordination with the Department of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Aizawl on Thursday at Sihphir in Aizwal.
According to a report published on Friday by Northeast Today, prepared on the basis of an official press communique, the approximate market value of the 47 gold bars weighing about 7.482 kg is Rs 2,39,83,529.
It has been reported that the gold, which was hidden in the handle of a suitcase trolley, was recovered when two persons who were travelling in a Tata Sumo vehicle were intercepted at a Mobile Vehicle Check Post set up by the joint team.
The duo was also nabbed by the Assam Rifles.
The gold bars, as revealed by the apprehended persons during the investigation, were brought to Aizawl in Mizoram from Tiddim in Myanmar and were being taken to Guwahati, the gateway to Northeast.
The Assam Rifles team handed over the two apprehended persons along with the seized gold bars to the Department of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Aizawl.
the report stated that as part of the relentless drive against smuggling of gold, weapons, drugs & contraband, Assam Rifles has achieved multiple success in close cooperation with police, NGOs and other government agencies.
In April this year, the Customs officials seized 29 gold bars worth Rs 9 crore near Aizawl from a vehicle. The officials detained the driver and owner of the vehicle in this connection. One Hualzidinga, 55, a permanent resident of Champhai district was arrested in this connection.
The gold bars, weighing one kg each, were seized from a Bolero jeep bearing registration number MZ-01K 8203 which was coming from Serchhip town, about 100 km from Aizawl.