Sambalpur (Odisha)- In a dramatic turn of events, officials from the Excise Department in Odisha’s Sambalpur district uncovered a major smuggling attempt on Thursday, seizing over 110 kilograms of silver valued at more than ₹1 crore. The bust occurred near the Rengali Tehsil Office Square during a routine vehicle check intended to crack down on illegal ganja transportation.
According to officials, the silver was hidden inside a specially crafted secret chamber within a vehicle that was en route to Ranchi. The unexpected discovery led to the detention of two individuals who were inside the vehicle at the time.
Authorities suspect that this seizure may be linked to a larger smuggling network. Investigators are currently verifying the legality of the consignment and whether any valid documents accompany it.
The incident has also drawn the attention of the GST Department, with senior officials arriving at the scene to join the investigation and assess potential tax violations. The probe is ongoing.
