NIA searches in Atpadi, Khanapur

Kolhapur: A team of the National Investigation Agency (NIA) on Thursday carried out searches in Sangli district’s Atpadi and

Khanapur

talukas, besides two other locations at Guwahati in Assam in connection with the seizure of 83.6kg of gold bars worth Rs42.9 crore from the Delhi railway station on August 28.

The directorate of revenue intelligence (DRI) had seized 504 gold bars following a tip-off and the case was handed over to the NIA. Eight individuals, who were found in possession of the gold bars, were then arrested. They had reached Delhi by the Dibrugarh-Delhi Rajdhani Express. The gold bars were found concealed in specially tailored vests worn by these passengers.

The NIA, in an official release issued later in the day, said: “The four locations were premises related to the accused persons and their handlers from where they used to give effect to the commission of crime.”

“During the searches, incriminating documents and electronic devices containing details of suspicious transactions as well as of the persons involved in the crime, who also have linkages abroad, including Myanmar and Nepal, were seized,” the release said.

Sangli superintendent of police (SP) Dikshit Gedam told TOI, “A 10-member team of the NIA had approached us for assistance. We provided them all the necessary manpower and assistance as they did the searches in Atpadi and Khanapur, where the accused used to stay.”

The gold bars were allegedly being smuggled from Myanmar through the international land border at Moreh in Manipur.

The eight people were found travelling on fake identities and were arrested under the Customs Act, 1962.