Rengali (Sambalpur): Excise officials were in for a surprise today when they seized a large consignment of silver bars during a routine vehicle check aimed at curbing cannabis smuggling in Rengali.

According to official sources, the recovered silver—estimated to weigh around 110 kilograms—is valued at over ₹1 crore. The bars were found hidden in a secret compartment of a Scorpio SUV bearing registration number MH01EF0549.

The vehicle was reportedly transporting the silver from Raipur to Kolkata. During vehicle frisking at Tahsil Chhak in Rengali, the concealed stash was discovered by the Excise team.

Two individuals, identified as Chandrakant Patel and Sanjay Bhai Patel, have been detained in connection with the seizure. Upon questioning, the duo failed to produce any valid documents to justify possession or transport of the silver.

Officials from the Goods and Services Tax (GST) department have been dispatched to Rengali to further investigate the matter.