The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) apprehended four individuals in Kishanganj district on Tuesday night for attempting to smuggle 48 foreign gold biscuits valued at approximately Rs6.29 crore into India. The gold was cleverly concealed in the footwear of the accused, officials revealed. Following their arrest, the accused were remanded to judicial custody under the Customs Act, 1962 on Wednesday.
The arrested persons have been identified as Ashish Kumar, Soubhik Pan, Pankaj Kumar, and Suraj Kumar.
Acting on a tip-off, DRI officials uncovered a smuggling network trafficking gold from Bangladesh to New Delhi. Besides the gold biscuits, authorities seized Rs1.96 lakh in cash believed to be connected with the illicit trade.
The operation began when DRI intercepted Pankaj Kumar and Suraj Kumar near the India-Bangladesh border at Gwalpokhar. A search revealed 27 gold biscuits (3,145.50 grams) hidden inside their footwear. The duo disclosed that additional gold was stashed in a rented apartment on Dangi Basti Road, Kishanganj.
Subsequent raids at the apartment led to the recovery of 21 more gold biscuits (2,473.50 grams) and Rs1.96 lakh in cash. Their associates, Ashish Kumar and Soubhik Pan, were also apprehended during the raid.
The DRI continues to investigate the smuggling network and efforts to disrupt cross-border illegal gold trade.
