Two people from Chin State were arrested across the Indian border in Mizoram for smuggling gold, with police seizing more than US$330,000 worth of gold bars.
According to Mizoram daily newspaper Banglaini, the arrests occurred on October 18, and were a joint effort between the Aizawl regional Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) and a military battalion based in Assam. The two men were reportedly traveling in a maxicab from Aizawl in Mizoram to Assam State.
Police said that the 45 gold bars in the men’s possession were headed for Guwahati town.
The men arrested included 19-year-old Than Thawn Mung and 18-year-old Do Sian Lang, who are charged under the India’s 1962 Customs Act.
According to an officer from the DRI, throughout 2018 Indian authorities have seized nearly 300 kg of gold illegally brought into the country, valued at $12.4 million. The gold came from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burma, China and Nepal.
Mizoram authorities arrested five Burmese nationals in possession of 217 gold bars valued at
DRI has requested that people report tips on illegal gold imports in India’s border areas and that informers’ anonymity will be protected. Rewards will also be provided when such tips lead to arrests.