Author: adminficci

In a major crackdown on gold smuggling, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Mumbai, seized 4.37 kg of smuggled gold valued at approximately Rs 4.26 crore. The gold was being transported in a car from Mumbai to Dhule and was hidden in a specially designed cavity beneath the rear seat hand-rest.

Acting on specific intelligence inputs, DRI officials intercepted the car and its driver at a toll plaza. A thorough search led to the recovery of the concealed gold.

In a follow-up operation, the DRI team also apprehended the owner of the smuggled gold. A search was conducted at his unregistered shop, which was allegedly involved in the illegal trade of smuggled precious metals. The search resulted in the recovery of 61 kg of foreign-origin silver bars, 31 kg of silver cut pieces, and Rs 74 lakh in cash, suspected to be the proceeds from the sale of smuggled goods.

https://www.lokmattimes.com/mumbai/mumbai-smuggled-gold-worth-over-rs-4-crore-seized-by-dri-two-arrested-a522/

Federal authorities seized nearly $34 million worth of illegal e-cigarettes in their latest effort to crack down on unauthorized vaping products entering the U.S.

The Food and Drug Administration and U.S. Customs and Border Protection discovered nearly two million illegal e-cigarette units during inspections in Chicago this February, officials announced Thursday. Almost all the products came from China and included brands like Snoopy Smoke and Raz.

In a new move to combat illegal imports, the FDA also sent warning letters to 24 companies that bring tobacco products into the country.

“We can and will do more to stop illegal e-cigarettes from coming into the United States,” FDA Commissioner Marty Makary said in the press release. “These seizures keep unauthorized products away from our nation’s youth.”

https://abcnews.go.com/US/34-million-worth-illegal-cigarettes-seized-federal-officials/story?id=122077643

Chattogram Custom House officials seized 1.25 crore cigarette sticks that were imported under false declaration and with fake documents early today. Customs officials said they would be able to determine the exact value of the consignment after completing an inventory within a day.

According to customs documents, Dhaka-based importer Ahsan Corporation had declared the goods as oranges, which arrived at Chattogram Port on May 15 this year. Diba Trading Ltd, a clearing and forwarding agent, was assigned to release the goods on behalf of the importer.

Officials from the Audit, Investigation, and Research (AIR) section of the Customs House said they discovered forged documents submitted by the importer and the C&F agent to release the shipment. A subsequent physical examination of the container revealed it was loaded with cigarettes.

https://www.thedailystar.net/news/bangladesh/crime-justice/news/declared-oranges-evade-tax-125cr-cigarettes-seized-ctg-3900616

Customs officials at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport have uncovered a smuggling attempt involving gold and foreign currency, leading to the arrest of three passengers. The officials seized gold and foreign currency worth approximately ₹98 lakh from the accused. All three were produced before the court following their arrest.

In recent years, there has been a surge in the smuggling of drugs, gold, and foreign currency at international airports. As part of a special operation launched against such activities, customs officials kept a close watch on suspicious movements at the airport.

On Tuesday, two passengers arriving from Bahrain and Daman came under suspicion due to their unusual behaviour. Upon questioning and inspection of their luggage trolleys, officials discovered gold hidden beneath advertisement stickers. The team seized 24-carat gold bars weighing 247 grams, valued at around ₹22 lakh.

https://www.lokmattimes.com/mumbai/mumbai-gold-and-foreign-currency-worth-rs98-lakh-seized-at-airport-three-passengers-arrested-a522/

Surat: The Special Operations Group (SOG) of Surat police raided a godown in the Rander area and seized illegal cigarettes and banned e-cigarettes worth Rs 36.58 lakh. One person, identified as Nazir Javed Shaikh (33), was arrested in connection with the racket.The seizure included 296 flavoured e-cigarettes valued at Rs 17.76 lakh, along with 7,960 regular cigarettes of foreign brands such as ESSE, Atlanta, State Express, Win, L&M Blue Label, Davidoff, Marlboro, and Dunhill. These cigarette packs lacked the mandatory health warnings, making their sale illegal under existing tobacco laws.According to SOG police inspector AP Chauhdary, the team acted on a tip-off that banned e-cigarettes and foreign cigarette brands were being sold without proper regulation from a shop named INT Pan Shop in Rander.

Upon verifying the information, police raided a godown located in Merulaxmi Apartments and seized the contraband stock.Shaikh allegedly sourced the stock from Mumbai-based traders, receiving the shipments via travel agencies and courier services. He then distributed them to various shops and customers in high-end areas including Althan, Vesu, VIP Road, Pal, Adajan, Bhatar, Citylight, Parle Point, and Piplod.

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/surat/surat-sog-seizes-illegal-cigarettes-worth-rs-36-58l-in-rander-one-arrested/articleshow/121322139.cms

Custom officers at Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport Commissionerate, ZONE-III Mumbai seized a total of 5.75Kg Gold valued at Rs. 5.10 crore in two cases of smuggling, according to a statement. Two people involved in the smuggling of gold were also arrested in these two cases.

According to the statement, in the first case, one individual working in a lounge was intercepted when he was crossing staff the departure area and recovered 06 pouches containing “Gold Dust in Wax” having net weight of 2800 Grams (Gross weight 2947 gms) valued at Rs. 2.48 Crore from his inner clothes apparently handed over to him by a transit passenger. The person has been arrested.

In the other case, “one person working on contractual basis was intercepted when he was crossing staff exit point at the departure area and recovered 06 pouches containing “Gold Dust in Wax” having net weight of 2950 Grams (Gross weight 3073 gms) valued at Rs. 2.62 Crore from the pocket of his jacket worn by him. The above gold was apparently handed over to him by a transit passenger. The person has been arrested,” the statement said.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/custom-officers-seize-5-75-kg-gold-at-mumbai-airport-2-arrested-101747562049411.html

In a crackdown on interstate smuggling, the Pune division of the state excise department has seized liquor worth ₹25 lakh being illegally transported from Goa to Maharashtra.

Acting on a tipoff, excise officials on Thursday intercepted a suspicious truck near the Pune-Mumbai highway in Pimpri-Chinchwad, a route notorious for such activities, and confiscated a large consignment of liquor which was being transported to Maharashtra from Goa.

The truck was found to be carrying 305 boxes (180 ml each bottle of whisky) of liquor without proper documentation. The seized liquor was valued at ₹24.88 lakh while the vehicle itself, estimated at ₹2.28 lakh, was also confiscated. The total value of the seized goods stands at approximately ₹27.16 lakh. Liquor is significantly cheaper in Goa due to lower taxes, making Goa a prime source for smugglers targeting markets in Maharashtra.

https://www.hindustantimes.com/cities/pune-news/25-lakh-worth-of-liquor-being-illegally-transported-from-goa-to-maha-seized-in-pimprichinchwad-101747423620149.html

Kolkata, May 17 (SocialNews.XYZ) The Border Security Force (BSF) arrested two smugglers and seized 10 gold biscuits worth nearly 1.11 crore from them along the Indo-Bangladesh Border (IBB) in the North 24-Parganas district of West Bengal on Friday, said N K Pandey, DIG and spokesperson, South Bengal Frontier, BSF on Saturday.

“Jawans at the Hakimpur Border Outpost received concrete information regarding a gold smuggling attempt. Acting on this intelligence, the jawans launched a special and well-planned operation. All personnel at the Hakimpur check post were placed on high alert, and surveillance was intensified across all possible routes and sensitive areas,” he said.

DIG Pandey said that around 10.30 am, the jawans noticed the suspicious movement of two individuals near Hakimpur Uttarpara village. Both were stopped and questioned, followed by a thorough search, adding that during the search, 10 gold biscuits were recovered from their possession.

https://www.socialnews.xyz/2025/05/17/bsf-arrests-two-smugglers-along-indo-bdesh-border-over-1-kg-gold-seized/

GUWAHATI: Guwahati police on Friday, May 16, intercepted a consignment of smuggled Korean cigarettes. The development was shared by the authorities’ official account on X, as the operation was carried out by the Garchuk Police Station.

Acting on specific input, police stopped a truck at Garchuk and discovered a large cache of foreign cigarettes concealed inside. A total of 1,075 cartons, comprising 10,750 packs of Korean-manufactured cigarettes, were seized during the operation.

One person, identified as Ranjit Rabha, a resident of Boko, was apprehended in connection with the case. Legal proceedings have been initiated under relevant provisions of law, and further investigation is underway to trace the network behind the smuggling.

https://www.guwahatiplus.com/guwahati/guwahati-police-bust-foreign-cigarette-smuggling-racket-one-held-with-10750-packs