A novel attempt to smuggle gold from north-eastern States to the city by train was foiled by Directorate of Revenue Intelligence officials on Monday. Three persons, including a juvenile, were detained and are being interrogated.
The authorities seized 9.6 kg of gold biscuits, concealed in inverters, The biscuits are valued at Rs. 3 crore.
DRI sources said following specific information that gold was being smuggled from Southeast Asian destinations to the city, the authorities increased the vigil at airports.
Following this, the smugglers opted for a different route and mode of transport.
The biscuits were imported from Singapore and taken to a border area of Tripura in the North-eastern State. From there, it reached Assam, where the smugglers boarded the Dibrugarh – Yashwantpur Express.
The officials kept vigil on the movement of the smugglers and followed them. As per the plan, the smugglers were to alight at the Perambur railway station and head towards their planned destination.
However, the gang jumped out of the train before it reached Perambur. The officials pursued and caught them.
Gold found in toilet
Gold biscuits weighing 3.2 kg were found abandoned in a toilet flush tank of the international airport in Tiruchi on Monday.