Kannauj: A road accident on the Agra-Lucknow Expressway late Friday night led to the detection of an alleged gold smuggling operation, after police recovered 10 gold bars weighing 10.37 kg from a Brezza car involved in the crash. The seized gold has been valued at around ₹16 crore. Two people travelling in the vehicle were detained for questioning, while Customs and State GST officials were alerted and reached the spot.
According to preliminary information, the government vehicle of the Sakrawa police station officer was returning from duty at around 2 am. Near Nikwa village in the Talgram area, a speeding Brezza car allegedly rammed into the police jeep from behind. The police personnel travelling in the vehicle escaped unhurt, although both vehicles were damaged in the collision.
Following the accident, police searched the Brezza. During the search, they allegedly found a bag containing 10 gold bars. The total weight of the recovered gold was measured at 10.37 kg, with its market value estimated at approximately ₹16 crore. The occupants of the vehicle were unable to produce valid documents explaining the possession or transportation of the gold, according to officials.
The two detained men have been identified as Sandeep Jaiswal, a resident of Thuthibari in Maharajganj district, who was allegedly driving the car, and Saroj Panth, a resident of Hungi village in Nepal’s Palpa district. Investigators questioned them about the source of the gold, its intended destination and the people allegedly connected with its transportation.
During preliminary questioning, Sandeep allegedly told investigators that a person named Riyaz, who runs a grocery shop near the India-Nepal border in Maharajganj, had called him to Gorakhpur. After reaching Gorakhpur, he allegedly met Saroj Panth, who was carrying a bag containing gold bars.
Sandeep was allegedly instructed to drive Saroj to Daryaganj in Delhi. According to the alleged plan, the gold consignment was to be handed over to an unidentified person in Daryaganj after the vehicle number and a secret code were verified. Investigators are now trying to establish who was behind the alleged operation and where the gold had originated.
After being informed about the seizure, GST Deputy Commissioner Harekrishna Rai and a team from the Customs and Central Excise Preventive Department in Lucknow reached the location. The concerned agencies began examining the seized gold and checking documents related to its purchase and transportation.
The two detained men were asked to produce documents relating to the gold, its source and its intended delivery, but they allegedly failed to provide any valid paperwork. The seized gold has been taken into custody and further action has been initiated by the concerned authorities.
The two men were subsequently taken to Lucknow for detailed questioning. Investigators are examining the suspected trail of the alleged smuggling network from the India-Nepal border to Gorakhpur and Delhi. Officials are also trying to identify other people who may have been involved in arranging the transportation and receiving the consignment.
Police said the case appeared to involve gold smuggling and that further action had therefore been handed over to the Customs and State GST authorities. The Customs department is expected to register a case and investigate the source of the gold, the alleged network behind its movement and the intended recipient of the consignment.
The police are also sharing details of the accident, the vehicle and the recovery with the concerned agencies. The investigation will focus on establishing the complete chain of transportation and determining whether the seized gold was part of a larger cross-border smuggling operation.
About the author — Suvedita Nath is a science student with a growing interest in cybercrime and digital safety. She writes on online activity, cyber threats, and technology-driven risks. Her work focuses on clarity, accuracy, and public awareness.
