Chhapra/ Patna: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) has seized 20kg of suspected smuggled gold, valued at approximately Rs 18 crore, from three men travelling aboard a Mumbai-bound train intercepted at Chhapra railway station in Bihar. The operation, led by DRI’s Muzaffarpur unit, resulted in the arrest of three residents of Mumbai, identified as Rajesh Kumar, Vijay, and Hitesh Kumar.
According to DRI officials, the gold — including biscuits and jewellery — had been concealed inside trolley bags, with the items wrapped in clothing to avoid detection. Acting on a tip-off, the agency had been tracking the suspects from Muzaffarpur and apprehended them inside the train after it halted at Chhapra.
The men were allegedly handed the consignment in Hajipur after it had reportedly crossed into Bihar from Nepal. DRI sources indicated that preliminary interrogation and analysis of seized mobile phones have revealed information pointing to a broader gold smuggling network, with connections potentially extending beyond state borders.
Following their arrest, the accused were produced before a local court on Friday and remanded to judicial custody. The DRI has begun follow-up investigations and is pursuing leads that may uncover larger players involved in the operation.
Officials noted that the gold appeared to have originated from Nepal and was possibly intended for redistribution or sale in Maharashtra. The case adds to a series of recent gold smuggling interceptions in the region, with past seizures involving routes linked to both Nepal and Myanmar.
Authorities have not disclosed further details pending investigation, and individuals allegedly involved in coordinating the handover of the gold have not yet been publicly identified. The alleged smugglers could not be reached for comment.
