With security tightened at airports ahead of Independence Day, authorities suspect that smugglers may be shifting to railway routes to transport gold.
Acting on this suspicion, the Raipur and Nagpur Railway Protection Force Crime Branch teams, along with the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), conducted a search of the Howrah-Mumbai Duronto Express on Thursday (13 Aug) and seized 1.242 kg of gold.
Seven biscuits and one gold bar recovered
During the search of coach B-12, officials recovered seven gold biscuits and one gold bar. The seized gold has been valued at approximately ₹2 crore.
Two Maharashtra men arrested
Suresh Kumar and Dhairyasheel, both from Maharashtra, were arrested in connection with the seizure.
According to the investigation, the duo was transporting the gold from Howrah to Maharashtra. Officials are now investigating the source of the gold, its intended destination and the wider smuggling network, if any.
The seized gold includes 7 gold biscuits and one gold bar.
Joint team catches two suspects with foreign gold on Duronto Express
The seizure followed specific information received by the RPF Crime Branch in Nagpur that two people were allegedly carrying gold on train number 12262, the Howrah-Mumbai Duronto Express.
Acting on the tip-off, RPF Crime Branch teams from Raipur and Nagpur were deployed along with officials from DRI Nagpur to verify the information.
Suspects caught between Bhandara and Nagpur
The joint team began checking passengers during the train’s journey between Raipur and Nagpur.
The two suspects, identified as Suresh Kumar and Dhairyasheel, were located in coach B-12 and detained during the train’s movement between Bhandara and Nagpur.
Gold biscuits and bar recovered
A search of the two suspects led to the recovery of seven gold biscuits and one gold bar. The combined weight of the seized gold was approximately 1.242 kg.
During the preliminary investigation, the gold was identified as foreign-origin gold. Officials are now investigating its source, intended destination and the circumstances surrounding its transportation.
Both suspects have been handed over to DRI Nagpur for further action.
Investigation ongoing about the source of gold
DRI Nagpur has registered a case against Suresh Kumar and Dhairyasheel under Section 135 of the Customs Act, 1962. Both are being interrogated. The process of presenting them in court is also underway.
Now DRI is engaged in finding out where the gold was brought from and to whom it was to be delivered. The agency is also investigating other people connected to this case and the gold smuggling network.
Gold reaches from Dubai via Bangladesh-Nepal route
According to DRI, small consignments of gold are delivered through trains. Smuggled gold reaches West Bengal from Dubai via Bangladesh and Nepal routes.
After this, consignments are delivered to cities like Mumbai, Surat and Ahmedabad through trains. Smugglers send through small consignments.
