The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) Friday caught two alleged gold smugglers flying in from Sharjah at the Surat airport and seized gold paste and two gold bars worth Rs 4.72 crore. The officers claimed that the two were part of an organised gang involved in the smuggling of gold.
Acting on a specific input, the Surat team of DRI had maintained watch at the Surat International Airport on Friday.
The two suspects were intercepted inside the airport and frisked. The officials found a single gold bar weighing 600 gram in the trousers of each suspect.
After they were thoroughly checked, DRI officers also found liquid paste hidden in the elastic strip of their undergarments.
The arrested individuals have been identified as Vipul Sheladiya, 30, and Abhaykumar Tejali, 25, both residents of the Varachha area in Surat.
They were produced before the Surat district court Friday and later sent to judicial custody at Surat Central Jail.
DRI sources said both suspects were unemployed. An organized gang involved in gold smuggling lured them with a promise of Rs 15,000 per trip. The duo agreed and they made a trip to Sharjah a few months ago. The transportation expenses were borne by the gang leaders. On the first trip, they were instructed to understand the clearance of the airport and how passengers board flights, among other procedures.
They added that they had got the names of two alleged middlemen who had contacted Sheladiya and Tejali on behalf of the gang.