Siliguri, 22nd May: In a significant breakthrough, the Siliguri Unit of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) thwarted a foreign gold smuggling attempt, recovering gold worth Rs 2 crore. The gold was being transported from the Indo-Bangladesh border to Kolkata via Siliguri. Two individuals, identified as Asadul Haque and Biki Haque, both residents of Dinhata in Cooch Behar, have been arrested on charges of smuggling.
Reports indicate that the shipment of foreign gold reached Cooch Behar from the Indo-Bangladesh border. Asadul and Biki were then tasked with transporting the gold to Kolkata. Under the plan, they concealed the gold biscuits in their clothing and boarded the Uttar Banga Express train from Dinhata to Kolkata.
Acting on a tip-off, the DRI team identified and apprehended the two smugglers on the train at Cooch Behar station. During the operation, the DRI recovered a total of 28 pieces of gold biscuits hidden in their clothing.
DRI sources revealed that the total weight of the recovered gold is approximately 3.290 kg with an estimated market value of over Rs 2 crore.
On Wednesday, the DRI filed charges of gold smuggling against the two accused in the Siliguri court. After hearing the arguments from both the defense and the prosecution, the court directed both the accused to be held in judicial custody for 14 days.