On December 12, 2023, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) conducted searches at seven locations in Patiala, Punjab, as part of an investigation into individuals potentially involved in smuggling gold from abroad into India. The probe was initiated based on a criminal complaint filed by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI), Delhi Zonal Unit, New Delhi, under the Customs Act, 1962. The complaint named Lucky Satija, Surinder Kumar, Manjodh Singh Cheema, and others.
The investigation traces back to November 2020 when the DRI intercepted two trucks at various locations. Hidden in the fuel tanks of each truck were 200 pieces of illegal gold bars with foreign origin, totaling 66.40 kg and valued at Rs. 33.2 crore at the time of discovery. The trucks, driven by associates of Surinder Kumar, Manjodh Singh Cheema, and Lucky Satija, transported the smuggled gold from Guwahati to Delhi and Punjab, using the India-Myanmar border route.
The ED’s ongoing investigation suggests that Lucky Satija, Surinder Kumar, and Manjodh Singh Cheema are part of a larger network involved in smuggling gold into India through Guwahati, Assam, from the India-Myanmar border.
During the search operations at the residences of Lucky Satija, Surinder Kumar, and Manjodh Singh Cheema, the ED seized damning documents and digital devices. The evidence indicates the involvement of these individuals, along with their associates and family members, in both smuggling and hawala activities. The seized evidence also reveals the syndicate’s methods for smuggling foreign-origin gold into India and provides insights into the assets used for money laundering. Additional research is currently being conducted.
