The East Godavari police on Friday seized over ₹Rs.5.65 crore in cash and 10 kg of gold biscuits and jewellery from two private buses at Krishnavaram toll plaza on the national highway under Kirlampudi police limits.
The illegal trade of gold and transportation of cash by the gangs was unearthed on the basis of intelligence inputs.
In one bus service operated by Padmavathi Travels between Tekkali and Vijayawada, the police found about ₹5.65 lakh in cash that was kept in the luggage box of the bus. Peddapuram DSP A. Srinivasa Rao said the cash was being transported without any valid documents.
“The driver, Kakarla Sudarshana Rao of Krishna district, has confessed that his task is to hand over the cash to Vijayawada-based gang — Pinninti Ramesh and Pinninti Ganesh — in Vijayawada,” Mr. Srinivasa Rao said.
In another bus service operated by the same travels between Vijayawada and Tekkali, the police reportedly found 10 kg of gold biscuits and jewellery in the luggage box of the bus. The gold, transported by driver P. Venkateswara Rao of Gudivada town, did not have any valid documents and GST bills. “The driver confessed that the gold was being sent from Vijayawada city to Tekkali in Srikakulam district”, said Mr. Srinivasa Rao.
According to the bus drivers, gold merchants in Narasannapeta, Ranasthalam in Srikakulam district, and Visakahaptnam city are allegedly involved in the illegal trade and illegal transportation of gold and cash through the private bus services. The drivers reportedly work on a commission basis.
The police have seized the two buses and registered a case. The drivers have been arrested and the investigation is on. The East Godavari police constituted special teams to investigate the case and nab the gang in north Andhra Pradesh and Krishna district.
