Shillong (Meghalaya), Dec 15: Acting on specific inputs that a sizable quantity of gold of foreign origin smuggled across the border would be carried in a car to Barpeta, officers of CCP Shillong intercepted a Maruti EECO van in the evening of Dec 13 at Diengpasoh, on the outskirts of Shillong.
On interrogation, it was revealed that the smuggled goods were concealed in the van. On thorough search of the vehicle, smuggled gold of foreign origin was found concealed in a specially built cavity in the floor area of the middle seat. Thereafter, 20 pieces of gold, which were packed and wrapped with black tape in four packets, were recovered. Total weight was 2331.82 grams valued at Rs.1.42 Crores.
One person has been arrested and further investigation is in progress.
In a separate case on Thursday, Customs sleuths seized 50 bags weighing a total of 950 kgs of garlic of Chinese origin bearing the brand name HUAGUANG, which appears to have been smuggled across the border.
Further investigation is in progress.