Tripura: Assam Rifles, DRI recover gold biscuits, cash worth over Rs 21 crore

Agartala: Assam Rifles, in coordination with the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), has seized gold biscuits and unaccounted Indian currency worth more than Rs 21 crore during a joint operation conducted at multiple locations in Agartala, Tripura, officials said on Tuesday.

The operation was carried out in the general areas of Shantipara and Dhaleshwar following specific and credible intelligence inputs regarding the movement and storage of smuggled gold and illicit cash.

Acting swiftly on the information, Assam Rifles personnel launched coordinated searches, leading to the recovery of gold biscuits weighing approximately 14 kg.

Officials said the seized gold has an estimated market value of around Rs 19 crore. In addition, Indian currency amounting to Rs 2.87 crore was also recovered during the operation.

The cash is suspected to be proceeds of illegal activities linked to organized smuggling networks operating in the region.

Sources said the seizure marks one of the most significant recoveries in recent months and reflects the growing focus of enforcement agencies on curbing economic offenses and cross-border smuggling in the northeastern states.

Tripura, which shares an international border with Bangladesh, has often been used as a transit route by smuggling syndicates, prompting heightened surveillance by security and intelligence agencies.

Following the seizure, the recovered gold biscuits and currency were formally handed over to the DRI for further investigation.

The DRI has initiated legal proceedings under the relevant provisions of law to trace the source of the gold, identify those involved in the racket, and dismantle the wider network behind the smuggling operation.

Officials said investigations are underway to ascertain whether the seized consignment was intended for further transportation to other parts of the country.

No arrests have been officially confirmed so far.