The police are probing the role of Padmavathi Travels, from whose buses the West Godavari and East Godavari police seized about ₹10 crore in cash and 10.3 kgs of gold at three places in the State on Friday.
On a tip-off, the police seized the cash and gold at three separate places in East and West Godavari districts, in buses operated by the private operator, and took a few suspects into custody, investigation officers said.
“There were no documents for the cash and gold seized in the bus at Ananthapalli toll gate. Three private four-wheelers following the bus were also seized,” West Godavari district Superintendent of Police Rahul Dev Sharma said.
“All the three buses, in which the yellow metal and cash was seized, belong to one travel operator. We are investigating the role of the travel company management,” the SP said.
Kovvur Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) B. Srinath, who led the raid at Ananthapalli village in West Godavari district, said slips on white papers, were recovered from the arrested accused, which mentioned how much cash has to be delivered to the bullion trader and how much cash has to be given to the gold merchants in Vijayawada and Guntur.
“The cash was packed in cartons, in ₹500, ₹2000 and ₹100 denominations, and melted gold was seized. During investigation, it was revealed that 11 traders of Srikakulam district, have sent the money to procure gold in black,” the DSP said.
Investigation officers observed that bullion traders of Vijayawada, Guntur, Srikakulam, Visakhapatnam and Guntur districts could be involved in the racket.
“We contacted the Transport Department officials and asked them to stop the buses of Padmavathi travels immediately. Police are inquiring on how many vehicles were being operated by the operator, on which routes, boarding and alighting points, drivers and cleaners and other details,” Mr. Sharma said. Instructions have been given to intensify raids on private buses.
The case was handed over to IT Department. The role of other private (car) travels of Vijayawada, Guntur, Srikakulam, Vizianagaram and Visakhapatnam districts are being probed, the SP added.
