Guwahati, September 23 (Daily Kiran) : The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has intensified its efforts in a gold smuggling investigation in Guwahati, seizing 37.064 kilograms of gold and approximately 13 grams of silver-colored metal. This operation, conducted under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) of 2002, targets Akshay Parshuram Bansode and several unidentified individuals.
The seized gold, which includes 29 large gold bars and 50 smaller pieces, is valued at over ₹54 crore. The Assam police initially confiscated the gold on June 30 from Bansode in the Kharguli Hatisil area of Guwahati. It is currently secured at the Kamrup Metro Treasury.
The ED launched its investigation based on a case registered at the Latasil police station in Kamrup (Metro). This case involves organized illegal gold trafficking, concealment of smuggled gold, and criminal conspiracy.
Investigations revealed that Bansode had been transporting gold across India for several years at the behest of an unidentified individual who operates a courier syndicate. This individual utilized a coded identification system, compensating Bansode with a fixed monthly amount.
Allegations suggest that the seized gold was smuggled into India via Myanmar and the UAE, with payments made through hawala channels. Efforts were made to introduce the gold into the formal bullion trade using invoices created by certain traders linked to a bullion refining company.
Further investigation uncovered that documents presented to claim ownership of the seized gold were fraudulent. The court examined these invoices and initially deemed them counterfeit, leading to the rejection of the claimant’s application for the gold’s release.
Additionally, neither the individual from whom the gold was seized nor the person claiming ownership could provide a customs clearance certificate, import documents, or any other legal proof of acquiring the gold. The ED continues to pursue further investigations related to this case.
Leave a Comment