Acting on specific intelligence about illegal transport of gold in a car heading to Hyderabad, DRI teams chased and intercepted the vehicle on Visakhapatnam highway.

On checking, officers found three packets concealed under car seat containing 5,832.90 grams of foreign-origin gold bars. Market value is estimated at about Rs 8.98 crore.

Officials said gold was hidden in specially made cavity under seat to avoid detection during routine checks. Car was coming from Kolkata and meant for delivery in Hyderabad.

Two persons travelling in car were arrested on spot. After initial questioning, they were produced before court and remanded to judicial custody as per court orders.

DRI has registered case and started investigation to trace source of gold, intended recipient in Hyderabad, and larger smuggling network behind transport. Officials are probing whether gold was smuggled from neighbouring country through eastern border and routed via Kolkata for distribution.

Further details will be revealed after interrogation and analysis of travel and financial records.