Sambalpur, July 10: In a surprising twist during a routine anti-ganja inspection, the Excise Department intercepted a vehicle carrying a massive cache of silver bricks near the Rengali tollgate on the Sambalpur-Jharsuguda stretch of the Biju Expressway in Odisha on Thursday.

The Excise officials detained two persons and seized the vehicle, being used in the illegal transportation of silver bricks.

According to the sources, the vehicle, a Scorpio SUV enroute from Mumbai to Ranchi, was flagged down on suspicion of illegal cannabis transportation.

Upon inspection, officials discovered a secret chamber inside the car concealing approximately 1.10 quintal of silver bricks. The silver was being smuggled in a manner typically associated with narcotics trafficking, raising serious concerns about the evolving tactics of contraband networks.

After getting information, the City GST enforcement team reached the spot and started further investigation. Preliminary reports suggest that the silver was being transported without proper documentation, and its market value is estimated to be Rs 1.8 crore.

Officials are now probing the origin and intended destination of the silver consignment, as well as possible links to organized smuggling operations, sources said.

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