CHENNAI: Officials of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) on Thursday seized 8.325 kg of gold bars worth Rs. 2.21 crore from two persons travelling in a SUV near Thanjavur.
The suspects admitted that the gold consignment was smuggled into India from Sri Lanka and they received it along the Vedaranyam coast with the help of a country boat.
Based on specific input that a gang had planned to procure gold from Sri Lanka and transport it by road from Nagapattinam or Thanjavur to Chennai, special teams of the Chennai Zonal Unit were deployed along coastal villages, important junctions and roads leading to Chennai.
At Valavanthankottai toll gate in Thanjavur district, they intercepted an SUV in which Sughendheran and Bhagyaraj were travelling.
The duo confessed to investigators that gold bars were concealed in the vehicle.
The accused were taken to the Central Excise office in Thanjavur for interrogation and later arrested. Investigation was on to unearth the entire gang involved in the offence, DRI sources said.
