Bhubaneswar, June 2 -- In a major crackdown, foreign origin gold valued at Rs 20.21 crore was seized in a joint operation by the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) with the help of Indian Coast Guard (ICG), Mandapam & Ramnad Customs, Preventive Division.

The foreign origin gold was seized from two fishing boats while it was being smuggled into India from Sri Lanka through the coast. Acting on a specific input that foreign origin gold is being smuggled from Sri Lanka through Vedhalai coast in Ramnad by different gangs using fishing boats, surveillance was earlier increased.

One of the suspected fishing boats was intercepted by a team of DRI officers and Coast Guard officers on May 30, after a chase in the sea. During the course of...