Asem Bhakta Singh, Special Correspondent North East
Imphal: (Waari Singbul Network) In a major breakthrough, sleuths of the customs division, Imphal on Sunday confiscated 19 gold biscuits worth over Rs 1.99 crore from two persons, including a coach driver of Indigo Airlines and a passenger, at Imphal international airport.
Acting on a reliable source, officers of the anti-smuggling unit of the division moved to the airport’s departure terminal wherein security staff of Indigo Airliens detained the two, said a statement issued by the division’s deputy commissioner , Rajivkumar Yengkhom.
The two have been identified as A Minaketan Sharma (28) of Bhrahmapur Aribam Leikai in Imphal East district, the coach driver of the airlines and passenger Maibam Priyobrata Singh (32) of Nambol Kongkham Makha Leikai in Bishnipur district.
The customs officers initially detected ten gold biscuits of foreign origin and subsequently, after follow up inquiry and interrogation, another 9 gold biscuits were also recovered from their belongings after few hours, continued the release.
The total weight of the seized 19 gold biscuits is 3.155 kg and their total value is estimated at Rs 1,99,20,664 as on the day’s market rate, it said .
Under the relevant action of the Customs Act, 1962, the two have been arrested and further investigation to nab other offenders of the case is going on, added the statement.
