Manphool Thalod held for 22 kg gold smuggling in Jaipur

Jaipur: The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) unit in Jaipur arrested Manphool Thalod, also known as Phool Ji, from Khudi village in Tehsil Fatehpur Shekhawati, Sikar district, on Friday night around 10:30 PM. He was presented before the Chief Metropolitan Magistrate, Jaipur Metro-2, on Saturday and has been remanded to judicial custody until June 28th.

According to DRI officials, Thalod is suspected of facilitating a foreign gold smuggling syndicate, handling financial transactions, and collaborating with accomplices to procure foreign gold. Evidence indicates his involvement in smuggling approximately 22 kilograms of gold, valued at around Rs12 crore. His arrest follows a DRI investigation initiated from a tip-off, leading to his apprehension.

This operation stems from the earlier arrest of Narayan Ram, son of Maga Ram, by the DRI. Ram was detained upon his arrival in Jaipur on an Air Arabia flight on November 17, 2023, carrying 1143 grams of gold concealed in his rectum. His arrest led to the apprehension of several other individuals involved in the smuggling operation. These individuals admitted to smuggling foreign gold worth approximately Rs 35 crore and revealed Manfool Thalod’s involvement to the authorities.