Pradeep Pattanayak

Police on Sunday seized over 3 kilograms of gold and 150 kilograms of silver ornaments worth Rs 3,10,00,000 from a car at Sorala junction in Berhampur of Ganjam district. Four persons have also been detained in this connection. 

Acting on the tip-off, a team from Golanthara police station carried out raids at different locations at Sorala junction and stumbled upon the precious metals concealed in a secret chamber of the vehicle. 

The officials of GST and IT departments have been informed about the incident.  All four persons are being interrogated by a team of police personnel.

While the police are yet to reveal the identities of the detainees, all of them reportedly hail from Tamil Nadu. 
Police investigation revealed that the seized huge amount of gold and silver was being smuggled from Tamil Nadu to Bada Bazaar in Berhampur. 

It is suspected that the metals were being transported in a clandestine manner to evade GST payment. 

Notably, Berhampur police have launched a drive against anti-social elements. In September, one gutkha trader identified as Narendra Sahu’s bank deposits worth Rs 28 lakh were frozen. The action came after a raid on his factory at Baunsiapalli.

In another incident, Commissionerate Police busted a lady looters gang in Bhubaneswar by arresting five of its members including a minor from Bhubaneswar railway station.

Sources said that gang members are from West Bengal and they used to target people travelling in trains and waiting for trains at stations.

Several articles, including gold chains, mobile phones, and vanity bags have been seized from their possession.  Further investigation in connection with the incident is underway.

(Reported by Jagannath Sahu from Berhampur and Alok Mohanty from Bhubaneswar)
 

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