About 3 kg Gold bars seized, smuggler arrested

Imphal: Kakching Police commando of Manipur on Thursday seized 18 gold bars which were concealed in a vehicle beneath the step of its left door.

The gold bars were detected by the police team during frisking and checking at Pallel check-post.

At around 10:30 am, based on reliable source input regarding smuggling of gold, frisking and checking operation was intensified at the check-post. During the operation, 18 bars of gold weighing 2988 gm in total (2.988 kg in total) were detected. The seized gold bars were seized from an EECO van bearing registration number MN01AS-8825, Kakching Police superintendent Shrey Vats said.

Each gold bar was packed in plastic with a white sticker pasted on it. On the bottom of the bar, three small “W” letters and one large ‘W” letter is carved along with a five petalled flower symbol carving. On the top of the bar Letter “W” has been carved. Each bar weighs 166gms.

The driver of the vehicle was arrested. He identified himself as Prakash Kshetri, 23, son of Ratan Kshetri, resident of Ward No. 8, Moreh (Indo-Myanmar border town in Manipur). Investigation is underway to find how he got the gold and where he was taking it, the senior police officer said.

After the necessary formalities, the seized materials along with the arrested person will be handed over to Customs department for necessary action, he added.