Agartala, Nov 10 : Customs officials and the Railway Protection Force (RPF) jointly seized gold biscuits valued at Rs 4.73 crore and detained two persons during a search operation aboard the Agartala-Narangi Express, an official said on Tuesday.
Around 350 grams of gold biscuits, estimated to be worth Rs 4,73,72,050, were recovered during the operation, which was conducted as part of intensified surveillance to prevent the illegal transportation of precious commodities through the railway network.
Speaking to reporters, RPF Tripura Assistant Commandant B K Sinha confirmed the seizure and said the operation was carried out jointly by Customs and RPF personnel following increased monitoring of railway routes.
The two detained persons are residents of Teliamura and Agartala, respectively, officials said.
During preliminary questioning, they allegedly told investigators that they had received the gold consignment from an individual in the Motor Stand area and were transporting it to Assam.
Officials said the consignment was intercepted during a coordinated search of the train. The agencies are now investigating the source of the gold and the circumstances under which it was being transported.
Investigators are also attempting to identify the person who allegedly handed over the consignment to the detained individuals and establish the identity of its intended recipient in Assam.
The seizure has prompted authorities to examine the possibility of an inter-state smuggling network operating through the railway route connecting Tripura with other northeastern states.
Officials are also probing whether additional individuals were involved in arranging the transportation and whether similar consignments had been moved through the route in the past.
The statements made by the detained persons are being verified as part of the investigation, while officials are pursuing further leads to establish the complete chain of transportation.
Customs and RPF authorities said further action would be taken based on the findings of the ongoing investigation.
The agencies are continuing their efforts to determine the origin of the seized gold, trace its intended destination and identify others who may be connected with the alleged illegal transportation.
The two detained persons remain under investigation, officials added.
