A press release by the Indian Coast Guard revealed that in a successful joint operation conducted by the Indian Coast Guard, the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), and Customs, a significant amount of gold weighing 32.689 kilograms, with an estimated value of approximately Rs 20.2 crores, was seized from two fishing boats in the Gulf of Mannar area in Tamil Nadu. The operation was carried out to intercept a consignment being smuggled into India from Sri Lanka.
The press release said that the joint operation was initiated based on specific intelligence received from the DRI regarding illegal smuggling activities between Sri Lanka and India. On May 30, 2023, the Indian Coast Guard and the DRI launched a coordinated operation. Teams from both agencies closely monitored fishing vessels operating in the Gulf of Mannar, particularly near the Indo-Sri Lanka International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL).
On the morning of May 30, a suspicious boat was detected by the joint team from the Indian Coast Guard and the DRI as it approached the Mandapam fishing harbor. The boat attempted to evade apprehension but was eventually intercepted in the north Gulf of Mannar. During the chase, the suspects onboard discarded the smuggled consignment into the water. The boat, along with three suspects, was apprehended and taken into custody for further investigation. Simultaneously, a major diving operation was launched by the Indian Coast Guard to search for the dumped gold in the sea.
In a separate operation, a second suspicious boat was intercepted by a team from the DRI off Vadalai village, south of Mandapam. The boat was found to be carrying approximately 21.269 kilograms of smuggled gold. The DRI seized the contraband and arrested two individuals who were onboard the boat.
After two days of relentless diving operations off the coast of Mandapam, the Indian Coast Guard diving team, in collaboration with local divers, successfully recovered the gold consignment from the seabed on June 1, 2023. The seized consignment included gold bars weighing 11.600 kilograms.
The joint operation by the Indian Coast Guard and the DRI resulted in the total seizure of approximately 32.869 kilograms of illegal gold, with an estimated value of Rs. 20.20 crores. The seized contraband, along with the apprehended suspects, are now in the custody of the DRI for further legal action.
The press release said that Indian Coast Guard remains committed to ensuring the safety and security of the Indian coast.
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