Kannauj, Aug 22 (IANS) Police have seized around 10 kilograms of gold, valued at nearly Rs 15 crore, from a car in the Talgram police station area in Kannauj district, Uttar Pradesh.
According to the preliminary information shared by the police with the media, the suspected gold smugglers were travelling in a car on the Expressway when their vehicle collided with a police vehicle. Following the collision, police chased the car and managed to intercept it.
During a search of the vehicle, police allegedly recovered 10 gold bricks from two men travelling in the car. Both suspects were taken into custody for questioning, said the police.
Sources said the gold was allegedly being transported from Gorakhpur in Uttar Pradesh to Daryaganj in Delhi. Preliminary investigation also suggests that the gold may have been brought into India through Nepal and was being transported onward through Uttar Pradesh.
The exact origin of the seized gold, its intended recipient and the suspected smuggling network are being investigated. Police are also examining the documents and other material recovered from the vehicle.
Following the seizure, a GST team reached the police station to examine and verify the recovered gold. A team from the Customs Department is also expected to reach Talgram police station as part of the investigation.
The seizure and arrests took place within the jurisdiction of Talgram police station. Authorities are now working to establish the ownership of the gold and determine whether the suspects are part of a larger interstate or international smuggling network.
Officials are expected to conduct a detailed assessment of the seized gold, including its purity, market value and legal documentation.
Further questioning of the two suspects is underway, while agencies are expected to coordinate to determine the source and intended destination of the consignment.
The recovery of such a large quantity of gold has raised concerns over the alleged use of routes through Nepal for gold smuggling, say officials. Authorities are continuing their investigation to identify other individuals who may be connected to the case, said the police.
–IANS
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