Raipur: In a major crackdown, Chhattisgarh police recovered over 7.5 kg of gold jewellery valued at more than Rs 9 crore from a luxury car's hidden compartment during a late-night check in Mahasamund district. Simultaneously, a separate operation in Ambikapur led to the seizure of 95.5 kg of silver anklets and 760 old mobile phones, triggering parallel investigations into illegal transport, stolen property, and suspected links to organised crime and cyber fraud.
Gold Seizure in Mahasamund
On Tuesday, police intercepted a Gujarat-registered luxury car near the Rehtikhol check-post on NH-353 in Singoda during intensified night patrolling and interstate vehicle checks. The vehicle was stopped while entering Chhattisgarh from Odisha. The three occupants — Jayesh Akbari (32), Sunit Karena (22), and Rushi Agrawat (26), all residents of Rajkot, Gujarat — allegedly gave inconsistent replies during questioning, prompting a detailed search.
Police discovered a specially designed secret chamber concealed beneath the rear seat. Inside, officers found two backpacks containing six plastic containers filled with gold ornaments. The jewellery weighed more than 7.5 kg and was valued at Rs 9.17 crore. The vehicle was also seized, bringing the total value of confiscated property to nearly Rs 9.28 crore.
Officials said the men could not produce valid purchase bills, transport permits, or ownership documents for the consignment. They have been detained and are being questioned about the source and destination of the gold. The income tax department and the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence have been informed to examine possible tax evasion, illegal bullion movement, or hawala-linked transactions.
Silver and Mobile Phone Seizure in Ambikapur
In another operation, Ambikapur police in Surguja district recovered 95.5 kg of old silver anklets and 760 used mobile phones from an Omni van during vehicle checking outside Gandhinagar police station on Banaras Road. Five youths from Murshidabad district in West Bengal — Sentu Sheikh, Gaffar, Asim, Ibrahim, and Mashdul — were taken into custody after they allegedly failed to give satisfactory explanations about the consignment.
Police said the silver ornaments and mobile phones could be stolen property or part of an illegal collection network. Investigators are also checking whether the old phones were meant for use in cyber fraud or digital scam operations. The accused were later produced before a court and sent to judicial custody.
