Key Points:
- Gujarat ATS and DRI seize over 95 kg of gold and luxury watches from a rented flat in Ahmedabad.
- Cash worth over ₹1.37 crore recovered, requiring machines for counting.
- The operation targets a father-son duo suspected of gold smuggling and financial irregularities.
- Investigation ongoing to uncover smuggling networks and financial crimes.
Ahmedabad : In a stunning operation, the Gujarat Anti-Terrorism Squad (ATS) and the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) raided a rented flat in Ahmedabad’s Paldi area, uncovering an astonishing cache of gold, luxury watches, and cash. The haul, likened to “Kuber’s treasure,” included over 95 kg of gold, valued at approximately ₹80 crore, along with 11 high-end watches, including a diamond-studded Patek Philippe, and cash totaling ₹1.37 crore.
The raid was conducted at the Avishkar Apartment, where a father-son duo, Mahendra Shah and Megh Shah, had rented the flat. The duo, associated with stockbroking and suspected of dabba trading, had allegedly been involved in smuggling activities. The flat had been under surveillance for some time after ATS received intelligence about smuggling operations from abroad to Ahmedabad.
Extensive Investigation Underway
The investigation revealed that a significant portion of the seized gold bore foreign markings, indicating it was smuggled into India. The DRI is examining whether the gold was legally imported or smuggled, while also probing potential links to larger smuggling networks and financial irregularities.
The sheer volume of valuables necessitated the use of scales and currency counters to accurately assess the haul. Authorities have registered a case against the accused and are conducting further investigations to uncover the full extent of their activities.
This operation highlights the ongoing efforts by law enforcement agencies to combat gold smuggling and financial crimes in Gujarat, a region that has seen several significant cases in recent years. The investigation is expected to reveal more details about the smuggling routes and financial dealings involved in this massive seizure.
