In a significant operation, officers from the Goa division of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) apprehended Lalchand, a construction contractor from Indore, who had just arrived from Abu Dhabi at the Manohar International Airport in Mopa. The DRI officials seized 1.3 kg of gold, valued at approximately Rs 66 lakh, from the suspect.
The operation unfolded after DRI Goa Division officials received credible information on Monday about a passenger arriving from Abu Dhabi, suspected of being involved in gold smuggling. Acting swiftly, a trap was laid at the airport. Suspicion arose when officers observed peculiar behaviour from a particular passenger. Upon initial bag inspection, nothing suspicious was found, prompting authorities to conduct a more thorough search.
During the subsequent search, it was discovered that Lalchand's trousers felt unusually heavy. Upon X-ray examination, it was revealed that the trousers were coated with gold paste. The concealed gold, along with a silver-plated gold ring and a bangle, totalling Rs 66 lakh, was confiscated. DRI has registered a case against Lalchand under the Customs Act, and he has been taken into custody.
Further interrogation revealed that Lalchand, a resident of Indore, Madhya Pradesh, works as a construction contractor. He was sent to Abu Dhabi by a gold smuggler from Gujarat five days prior to the incident. Following his stay, Lalchand was instructed to return to India wearing specially prepared pants, leading to his arrest upon arrival at Mopa airport.
The case is now under investigation, with authorities looking into the broader network involved in orchestrating such operations.