Gold bars weighing 28 kgs, worth Rs 8.3 crores found concealed in passengers’ sandals
The gold bars were concealed in the passenger’s footwear (sandals)
Officials from the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) on Friday intercepted eight passengers at Howrah Railway Station in West Bengal and confiscated 28.2 kgs gold, worth an estimated Rs 8.3 crores, concealed in their sandals.
Of the eight passengers that were apprehended, five were travelling by the Guwahati-Secunderabad Express, whereas the remaining three were travelling via the Kamrup Express.
All eight were travelling from Guwahati and caught at Howrah Railway Station. Their identities have not been revealed.
The accused had hidden the gold bars, weighing between 1 and 2 kg each, in the undersole of their sandals. A quick inspection of their heavy footwear gave their secret away, following which the sandals were torn and the gold bars recovered.
The gold bars weighed in at 28.2 kgs in total and are worth approximately Rs 8.3 crores.
According to preliminary information, the gold was allegedly smuggled through the Moreh town, located on the India-Myanmar border.
All eight accused are currently in custody and being questioned. Officials are also trying to ascertain if they are a part of a larger syndicate.
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