By: Akoijam Tompok ( Bureau Chief-ICN Manipur )
IMPHAL: In one of its biggest siezure of gold bars in Manipur, Customs Division Imphal has caught a man carrying gold bars worth 7 crore 70 thousand in Indian rupees. Manipur’s main National Highway, Imphal-Moreh road which is also Asian National Highway number 1 to be is frequently used by gold smugglers since long.
Customs Division Imphal caught 158 gold biscuits weighing around 26 kilogram from one Md Zakariya aged 26 s/o Md Allimuddin from Lilong Kaleikhong under Lilong police station of Thoubal District on the 30th November. Zakariya was caught carrying the gold bars by the division inside a van.
The gold smuggler along with the gold bars were presented to the media-persons at Customs Division Imphal office. Customs Division Imphal, Deputy Commissioner, Gaikhonlung Panmei told media persons that the gold bars were seized from one van that belongs to one Md Sirajur Rahaman from Lilong Haoreibi Lou Manga. Relying on a specific inputs a team led by SP Divisional Preventive Force, Imphal along with Custom officers from Pallel intercepted a Van coming from Moreh towards Imphal. The van was sttopped by the officer at Lokchao under Tengnoupal police station. On futher searching of the vehicle large number of gold biscuits were found secretly hidden inside the van.
He further added that the gold biscuits were brought out from Myanmar market and were to be taken to different metro cities in India.
Moreh Town which is situated at Indo-Myanmar Border is an International Border Trade area with large bussines from food item to machineries are carried out. Taking advantage of the growing bussines many have used it as an route for gold smuggling.
This year many gold smuggler who dared to used the highway were caught by Assam Rifles, Police and Custom Officials. This haul is the second largest seizure of gold by the customs.
