Thu Oct 24 06:04:08 UTC 2024: Updated – October 24, 2024 01:05 pm IST – THIRUVANANTHAPURAMThe jewellery seized during the raids displayed at the GST office in Thrissur on October 24, 2024. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement
State Goods and Services Tax (GST) officials have seized 104 kg of unaccounted gold in massive raids across gold jewellery-manufacturing units, wholesale outlets and residences in Thrissur district of Kerala. The raids began on Wednesday (October 23, 2024) and concluded on Thursday (October 24, 2024) morningClose to 700 officials attached to the intelligence and audit wings of the State GST department participated in the raids, named Operation Torre del Oro (tower of gold), billed as the biggest of its kind in Kerala to date. A senior official of the GST department said that about 104 kg of gold, found as ‘stock difference,’ have been seized.
“We have also collected ₹3.4 crore as penalty so far,” the official said.The officials have also reportedly seized documents, which could help throw light on tax evasion.
The inspections have so far covered more than 70 locations across Thrissur, the central Kerala district that is a hub of the gold trade.
The squads were moved to Thrissur from multiple locations in utter secrecy on Wednesday and despatched to the locations targeted for the raids.Officials reached Thrissur in a tourist bus disguised as tourists for the raids.
(with inputs from Thrissur bureau)Published – October 24, 2024 11:34 am IST
Kerala / gold and precious material / Thrissur
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