Imphal, Oct 1 (IANS): Customs Division personnel in Manipur on Sunday confiscated 12 pieces of gold bars weighing nearly 20 kg -- and worth Rs 9 crore -- along National Highway 37, officials said.

"We got a tip-off that gold smuggled from Myanmar would be taken along the national highway and, accordingly, we laid a trap," N. Meiraba, Superintendent of Customs Division said. The seizure was made at Yurembam.

"At 6 a.m., one jeep came along and, on checking it, we found the gold bars concealed in it," the official said.

He said two persons -- Mohammad Yakub and Mohammad Nizamuddin, both from Manipur -- have been arrested in this connection.

Meiraba said both are being questioned to establish where they were taking the bars and to trace the kingpin.

Myanmarese gold, which is comparatively cheaper, has heavy demand in many states.

Despite seizures and arrests, there have been increasing instances of smuggling of gold bars by road and by air.