According to an official source on Thursday, the Customs officials in Manipur seized 12 gold biscuits weighing 1.92 kg with a total value of around Rs 1.2 crore. The officials also apprehended an alleged smuggler and the vehicle used in the crime. The Customs Preventive Forces of the Imphal branch intercepted a Maruti van at Pallel on the NH 102 Moreh international border to Imphal on Wednesday afternoon based on intelligence inputs from across the border.
After a detailed search, the customs officials found a pouch cleverly concealed under a van seat containing 12 gold biscuits wrapped in a black plastic sheet. The biscuits had a purity of 999.0 and were valued at Rs 1.2 crore in the international market. The Customs officials stated that the smuggled gold bars were intended to be taken out of the state to mainland India after being brought into Manipur through porous border areas at Moreh from neighboring Myanmar.
The Customs Preventive Force, the Pallel branch of Manipur, thwarted the attempts at illegally purchasing and selling gold by seizing the items under the Customs Act 1962.