GG News Bureau
Sambhalpur, 10th July: In a major seizure, officials of the Excise Department recovered over 100 kg of silver bars worth more than ₹1 crore from a concealed chamber inside a Mahindra Scorpio near the Rengali Tehsil office in Sambhalpur district of Odisha.
The SUV, bearing a Maharashtra registration, was stopped during a routine check targeting marijuana smuggling, but officers were surprised to find silver bars weighing around 10 kg each stashed in a hidden compartment beneath the vehicle’s backseat.
Two individuals, including the driver, have been detained, and initial interrogation revealed the vehicle was travelling from Raipur to Ranchi. The driver admitted to carrying the silver without any valid documentation, raising suspicions of illicit transportation.
A video clip released by the authorities shows the cleverly constructed secret chamber carved into the vehicle’s interior, designed to conceal the precious metal.
Officials are now investigating the origin and intended recipient of the silver consignment. The case has drawn attention due to the scale of smuggling and the sophisticated concealment method used.
