In yet another gold bust, the Imphal Customs Division seized as many as 40 gold biscuits of foreign origin on Tuesday from an individual (driver) who was caught trying to smuggle it in a Bolero Pickup truck at Thamnapokpi area in Chandel district.
The total weight of the confiscated gold bars is 6.64 kilogram and is worth around Rs 3,81,40,160.
According to Customs officials, the gold smuggler was arrested under Section 104 of Customs Act, 1962 and identified as one Md Umar Farauqe, 32, son of Nure of Porompat Muslim Road No 2, Imphal East.
Acting on specific inputs regarding smuggling of gold at Thamnapokpi area along the National Highway-102, sleuths of the Customs intercepted the Bolero Pickup truck (bearing registration No MNO6-LA-9593), a release stated.
It stated that the driver (arrested individual) along with the pickup truck was taken to the Customs office at Sangakpham, Imphal East for checking and the gold biscuits were found wrapped in an adhesive tape in the pickup truck.
Further investigation to nab the other offender(s) in the case is underway, it added.
Meanwhile, a team of Chakpikarong police led by SI Kh. Bhaktajit singh, under the supervision of Shankerjit Loitongbam, Addl. SP (L/O)-Chandel, arrested an individual in possession of 275 soap cases of suspected brown sugar.
The team spotted the man walking in a suspicious manner in front of the Church of Aishi village carrying two green plastic sacks on his back. The team were on a poppy cultivation field survey in the general areas of Aishi and Khongtal village.
The man was identified as one 40-year-old Khailam Haokip, son of Lamsat from Ngamun village under Kangpokpi Police station. He was taken to Chakpikarong Police Station for further verification as there was no civilian available around at the moment for independent witness.
According to police, he was searched before the magistrate and found the suspected brown sugar which approximately weighs 3 kg and is worth Rs 6 crore.
A white-colour mobile keypad handset (itel) without sim card, One SSBL Gun bearing Gun No. BE-2389-2004, 12G-70 mm Chamber/Shaktiman Guns, one high velocity 70 mm bore cartridge and a cash money of Rs 1610 was recovered from him.
He was later handed over to Chakpikarong Police Station along with the seized items for further necessary action.
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