In a major crackdown spanning three days, the Customs Preventive Commissionerate, Vijayawada zone, arrested 16 individuals—including one woman—and seized 17.90 kg of smuggled foreign-origin gold, valued at Rs 14.37 crore. The operation, aimed at disrupting smuggling networks in Andhra Pradesh, was carried out across multiple locations, including Tadipatri Railway Station, Nellore Railway Station, and Bollapalli Toll Plaza.
The operation, based on credible intelligence from reliable sources, saw coordinated efforts from officials of the Vijayawada Customs Commissionerate (Preventive), along with Central GST units in Tirupati and Guntur. The arrested smugglers had been transporting gold from Kerala and Tamil Nadu, with the foreign markings deliberately removed to mask its origin.
The 16 individuals were arrested under the Customs Act, 1962, and have been remanded to 14 days of judicial custody by the Special Judge for Economic Offences in Visakhapatnam.
Customs officials revealed that in the financial year 2023-24, they had seized over 32 kg of smuggled gold, valued at more than Rs 19 crore. For the current financial year, 2024-25, seizures have included 20.41 kg of gold worth Rs 16.15 crore, along with 65 lakh smuggled cigarette sticks valued at Rs 6.5 crore.
“The Customs Department is committed to combating smuggling and safeguarding the nation’s economic and security interests. We encourage citizens to report any suspicious activities related to smuggling or duty evasion,” said Commissioner Sadhu Narasimha Reddy.
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