DRI, BSF Seize Around 12 Kg Foreign-Origin Gold Worth Rs 17 Crore Along India-Bangladesh Border

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), in coordination with the Border Security Force (BSF), has seized around 12 kg of foreign-origin gold valued at approximately Rs 17 crore in a series of operations in West Bengal and Bihar.

According to the Ministry of Finance, the seizures were made at multiple locations along the India-Bangladesh border as part of intensified action against cross-border gold smuggling. The operations also included the recovery of foreign-origin gold from a train passenger in Patna.

On September 20 and 21, BSF personnel of the 161 Battalion recovered 27 pieces of unclaimed foreign-origin gold weighing around 3.15 kg near the India-Bangladesh Border Road in the area of BOP Gongra, West Bengal. The DRI subsequently took over the proceedings and seized the gold under the provisions of the Customs Act, 1962.

In another operation on September 21, BSF personnel at BOP Mahakhola recovered 10 pieces of 24-carat foreign-origin gold weighing around 1.16 kg. The gold was found concealed near a handpump in Hathkhola village, ahead of the India-Bangladesh border fence. The DRI subsequently seized the recovered gold under Section 110 of the Customs Act.

Earlier, on September 10 and 11, BSF personnel had recovered 48 foreign-origin gold bars weighing around 5.9 kg near the India-Bangladesh border fence in the BOP Pathergata area. The DRI subsequently took over the case and seized the gold.

In Patna, DRI officers recovered 15 gold bars and four small cut pieces of foreign-origin gold weighing around 1.71 kg from a train passenger. The gold was concealed in a cloth knee support wrapped around the passenger's legs. According to the Ministry of Finance, preliminary investigation indicated that the gold had been smuggled from Bangladesh, and the passenger was arrested.

The Ministry said the coordinated operations by the DRI and BSF are aimed at disrupting networks involved in the smuggling, transportation and distribution of foreign-origin gold through the Bangladesh route.