In a major crackdown on cross-border smuggling, a coordinated operation between the Border Security Force (BSF) and the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI) in Kolkata resulted in the arrest of seven smugglers and the seizure of a substantial amount of gold and illegal cash. The operation, conducted near the India-Bangladesh border, underscores the ongoing efforts of security agencies to combat illicit trade.
The BSF, acting on intelligence about gold hidden in a house in Vijaypur village, West Bengal’s Nadia district, swiftly mobilized a joint team. The team, comprising BSF personnel, troops from Border Outpost 32 Battalion under South Bengal Frontier, and DRI officers, launched a search operation in the area.
During the search, two bags wrapped in cloth were discovered hidden in a garbage heap inside a house. Upon inspection, the bags were found to contain 106 gold biscuits of varying sizes, weighing a total of 14.296 kilograms. The estimated market value of the seized gold is Rs 8.50 crore.
The operation led to the arrest of two individuals, Rabindra Nath Biswas and Vidhan Ghosh. Upon interrogation, the smugglers revealed that the gold biscuits were handed over to them by two Bangladeshi nationals named Masood and Naseef. The intention was to pass the gold on to Santosh Haldar, a resident of Nadia district. However, due to the increased vigilance of BSF personnel in the area, the gold was temporarily concealed in the house.
In addition to the gold, the joint team also recovered illegal cash amounting to Rs 11.5 lakh, which was likely part of the smuggling operation. The seized cash has been taken as evidence in the case.
This successful operation highlights the vigilance and effective cooperation between security agencies in curbing cross-border smuggling activities. The significant seizure of gold and cash represents a major blow to the illicit trade network operating along the India-Bangladesh border. Such coordinated efforts are crucial in maintaining the integrity and security of the nation’s borders.