In a major seizure at the Amaravila check-post on the Kerala-Tamil Nadu border early on Monday, precious stones, including diamonds, and gold estimated at Rs.1.3 crore were seized from a vehicle that was heading to Thiruvananthapuram from Nagercoil.
Sales Tax officials said the package was seized during a routine vehicle check around 6.15 a.m., when a car was inspected. The three occupants in the car had not declared their transit, which was why the articles had to be seized. Further, they could not reveal the source of the diamonds. The value of the diamonds and the gold ornaments declared to the officials also appeared to be much less than what could be the actual value, the officials said. The detained persons said the package was intended for a major jewellery dealer’s outlet in Thiruvananthapuram, they added.
The seized diamonds and gold were shifted to the Neyyattinkara sub-treasury, from where Sales Tax officials will receive them again on Tuesday for a thorough evaluation.
Meanwhile, the Neyyattinkara police have submitted a report to the Sales Tax officials, requesting that the contraband should not be released without the carriers revealing the actual source.
Neyyattinkara Deputy Superintendent of Police (Dy.SP) Y.R. Rustom said the diamonds were estimated to account for about 85 per cent of the total value of the seizure. The three persons in the car had said that they had taken the consignment to Nagercoil three days ago, and they were on the way back. The reasons stated for the journey were not credible, and would have to be verified.
