Gold Valued at Rs 20.21 Crore Seized by DRI and Coast Guard

In a joint operation, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) and the Indian Coast Guard managed to seize 32 kg of foreign-origin gold worth Rs 20.21 crore, which was being smuggled into India from Sri Lanka. The two fishing boats carrying the smuggled gold were intercepted by the DRI officers with the assistance of the Indian Coast Guard. The interception led to the recovery of 11.6 kg and 21.26 kg of foreign-origin gold from the first and second fishing boats respectively. The intercepted gold is valued at Rs 7.13 crore and Rs 13.08 crore respectively. The DRI officers conducted extensive coastal surveillance with the help of the Indian Coast Guard, and identified the suspected fishing boats. The officials approached the second fishing boat and saw its occupants handing over a parcel to two receivers. Upon examination, eight packets of gold were found inside a jacket carried by them. Despite the receivers trying to escape, they were apprehended by the officials. The individuals on board the first fishing boat, however, dropped one of the parcels into the sea before being intercepted. However, the parcel containing 11.6 kg of foreign-origin gold was later retrieved from the sea bed with the help of divers. The DRI had received information about the smuggling of foreign-origin gold from Sri Lanka through the Vedhalai coast in Ramnad, Tamil Nadu, by different gangs using fishing boats, which led to the joint operation.