Ara: Police in Ara have arrested an alleged international smuggler and uncovered what they believe to be a gold smuggling network operating between Nepal and Bihar. Officers from Nawada police station seized five gold biscuits, each weighing 100g, along with Rs 1,40,000 in cash and a mobile phone during the operation. The gold is estimated to be worth around Rs 6.3 million.
The arrested man has been identified as Ramnaresh Pandey, a resident of Purana Bhojpur village under Dumraon police station in Buxar district. He was detained on Tuesday near the Karman Tola petrol pump after police received information about a man behaving suspiciously in the area.
According to investigators, Pandey had been sourcing gold from Birgunj in Nepal, crossing into Bihar through Raxaul and travelling onwards to Ara via Patna. During questioning, he told police he had previously sold smuggled gold to a jeweller at Gopali Chowk in Ara and had arrived again to deliver a fresh consignment.
Police said the jeweller, identified as the owner of Bharat Bhushan Jewellers, is now under investigation. Pandey claimed he had purchased the gold in Birgunj on November 29 and travelled first to his in-laws’ home in Kayamnagar before attempting to meet the jeweller, who reportedly asked him to return at noon.
Officers Avinash Kumar and Deepak, along with Inspector Basudev Paswan on patrol duty, intercepted Pandey after he tried to flee on seeing the police team. He initially gave false names and addresses before the officers searched him and found the gold biscuits wrapped in foil in his trouser pocket. Cash and a mobile phone were recovered from the other pocket.
Superintendent of Police Raj confirmed the arrest on Wednesday and said an FIR has been lodged based on the complaint filed by Nawada police station inspector Avinash Kumar. Police say they are now working to identify others linked to the smuggling route and the network facilitating the movement of gold from Nepal into Bihar.
