By Tejas
Pune, November 17, 2024: In a major operation amidst heightened security for the assembly elections, Pune police seized four kilograms of silver valued at Rs 4.16 crore and two kilograms of gold worth Rs 1.57 crore, being transported from Mumbai to Pune jewellers. The seized consignment has been registered at the Chaturshringi police station, and officials from the Income Tax (IT) and Goods and Services Tax (GST) departments have been informed to investigate the matter further.
On Saturday morning, during a routine inspection at a blockade near Rajiv Gandhi Bridge in Aundh, a vehicle heading towards Pune was stopped by the police. Upon inspection, authorities discovered 4.479 kilograms of silver and 2.511 kilograms of gold concealed in the vehicle. The total value of the confiscated metals is estimated at Rs 5.75 crore.
The detained suspect revealed that the gold and silver were being couriered to jewellers in Pune, Kolhapur, Ahilyanagar, and Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar. The consignment was reportedly sent by a courier company from Mumbai. Officials from the IT and GST departments have launched an inquiry into the source and legality of the seized items.
With assembly elections approaching, police have intensified patrolling and established blockades across the city to curb illegal activities. Earlier this month, Rs 128 crore worth of gold was seized in Sahakar Nagar during a similar operation. That consignment was linked to local jewellers who had outsourced gold jewellery production to Mumbai artisans.
