Dept. of Income Tax seizes In the airport in Bhubaneswar, 3 kilogram of illicit gold were held

The Income Tax (IT) department confiscated 3 kilogram of illegal gold worth over Rs 2 crore from the Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) in Bhubaneswar on Thursday, just before the elections.

In response to a tip, the department searched the airport’s cargo terminal and discovered at least three metal crates. During the search, gold bullion biscuits valued around Rs 2.10 crore were discovered within the cartons marked “valuable cargo.”

It’s possible that the passenger carrying the gold smelled the IT searches and decided not to board the aircraft. Nevertheless, he was taken up from the state capital in a matter of hours by IT detectives who had gathered the booking details. He’s been placed under arrest.

After some preliminary research, it was discovered that the prisoner, a Bhubaneswar native, was shipping the stolen gold to Mumbai. In lieu of the consignment, the sources said, “IT Department has launched a thorough probe to ascertain whether the gold was being smuggled to generate cash and if the money could have been used during the elections.”

Notably, elections are scheduled for the first round of the Maharashtra Lok Sabha seats on April 19. Officials from the IT department are also investigating if any jewelers in the western state were intended to receive the yellow gold.

Additionally, the agency is looking into the source of the gold that was confiscated. According to the sources, as efforts to smuggle gold into the nation from Bangkok, Dubai, and Myanmar have been foiled several times in recent years, it is also being looked into if the individual discovered to be smuggling the gold is a member of a global ring.

In the meanwhile, the state’s airports have air intelligence units (AIUs) and fast reaction teams stationed across Odisha districts by the IT department to monitor any illicit cash movement throughout the election process.

AIUs, according to sources, have been stationed at the airports at Rourkela, Utkela, Jeypore, Berhampur, and Jharsuguda’s Veer Surendra Sai Airport (BPIA).