In yet another big bust by the Imphal Customs Division, as many as 61 gold biscuits of foreign origin were seized from an individual while allegedly smuggling in a van at Sekmai bazar area in Imphal West on Thursday night.
The total weight of the confiscated gold bars is 10.126 kg and is worth around Rs 5,20,88,144.
According to Customs officials, the individual has been arrested under the Customs Act and is identified as H Mani Singh, 21, son of H Roneshwar Singh of Elangkhangpokpi Mayai Leikai, Kakching district.
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Acting on specific inputs regarding smuggling of gold from Imphal at the NH-2, sleuths of the Customs intercepted the van (EECO Van bearing registration no. AS-01-ES 1738) at Sekmai Bazar, said a Customs official.
As the driver (arrested individual) of the van denied smuggling of gold, he, along with three other passengers, and the van were taken to the Customs office at Sangakpham, Imphal East, he added.
The official further informed that the confiscated gold bars were found concealed inside the cylindrical pipe supporting the dashboard of the van by wrapping in an adhesive tape during the search of the vehicle by officials.
As the three passengers were found to be not connected with the smuggling, they were set free following the necessary procedure and protocols, he said.
