Sambalpur: In a surprise seizure, Excise Department officials recovered over 110 kilograms of silver valued at more than Rs one crore while conducting a raid for ganja near Rengali Tehsil Office Square in Odisha’s Sambalpur district on Thursday.
As per sources, the silver was being smuggled in a specially designed secret chamber inside a vehicle when it was intercepted by the Excise team.
The vehicle was reportedly proceeding towards Ranchi when it was stopped and searched. Two persons have been detained in connection with the incident, and further investigation is underway to trace the source and destination of the illegally transported silver.
Officials suspect the involvement of an organised smuggling racket and are verifying whether the consignment had proper documentation.
Senior officials from the GST Department visited the site for further investigation into the incident.