Synopsis
On February 21, Kolkata saw the Border Security Force (BSF) intercept a smuggler trying to transport gold valued at Rs 99 lakh. This marks the second consecutive day of successful seizures, highlighting an ongoing crackdown on smuggling along the India-Bangladesh border.Key Takeaways
- BSF arrests a smuggler with 1,135.34 grams of gold.
- Gold valued at Rs 99 lakh confiscated.
- This is the fourth major seizure since February 14.
- Ongoing investigations into smuggling networks.
- Over Rs 6 crore in gold seized in one week.
Kolkata, Feb 21 (NationPress) For the second consecutive day, the Border Security Force (BSF) successfully thwarted a gold smuggling attempt along the India-Bangladesh Border (IBB) by apprehending an individual with 1,135.34 grams of gold, as confirmed by an official on Friday.
The BSF reported that the suspect was detained on Thursday at the Petrapole Integrated Check Post (ICP) in the North 24-Parganas district of West Bengal while trying to enter India from Bangladesh.
On Wednesday, BSF personnel stationed at the Bithari BOP in the same district caught another man with 12 gold biscuits.
"We view this as a significant achievement. Around 7:30 a.m. on Thursday, members of the 145 Bn BSF were conducting routine inspections on individuals coming from Bangladesh at the Petrapole ICP when they apprehended the smuggler. Although no incriminating items were found in his belongings or on his person, the metal detector signaled the presence of a concealed substance within his body. The individual pretended to be unaware," stated N.K. Pandey, DIG and spokesperson for the South Bengal Frontier of the BSF.
"After multiple rounds of interrogation, he admitted to hiding gold inside his body. Senior BSF officials arrived at the scene, and three cylindrical pieces of gold were retrieved from his anal cavity, with the gold valued at approximately Rs 99 lakh," he elaborated.
The DIG mentioned that the arrested individual claimed to be a resident of Chennai and had recently traveled to Bangladesh for work.
He was reportedly approached by smugglers there who requested him to transport the gold across the border to a contact in Kolkata. He was promised Rs 10,000 for his assistance, according to what he relayed to the BSF.
"The apprehended smuggler, along with the confiscated gold, has been handed over to the appropriate authorities for further legal proceedings. Additionally, a thorough investigation is ongoing to uncover more information related to this smuggling network," Pandey stated.
This marks the fourth significant gold seizure along the IBB in the South Bengal Frontier since February 14.
The cumulative value of gold seized over the past week exceeds Rs 6 crore.
