Kolkata, 2 June (H.S.) -In a major crackdown on cross-border smuggling, the Border Security Force (BSF) has seized gold, silver, and narcotic substances worth approximately ₹6.5 crore over the past month along the India-Bangladesh southern frontier. The operations were carried out across multiple locations in North 24 Parganas, Nadia, and Murshidabad districts, resulting in the arrest of several smugglers. The seized items were being trafficked both from India to Bangladesh and vice versa.

In a statement released Monday morning, the BSF reported intensified surveillance in the border areas following the India-Pakistan ceasefire agreement. As part of this heightened vigilance, BSF personnel in Murshidabad recently intercepted a suspicious drone flying about two kilometers inside Indian territory near the Shamsherganj police station. The drone, equipped with a 4K camera, hovered in the air for around 20 minutes and was believed to be used for surveillance or video recording. It has been handed over to local police for investigation.

According to the BSF, one of the significant seizures took place on May 3, when troops from the 32nd Battalion at Banpur post in Nadia apprehended three Indian smugglers carrying 12 gold biscuits weighing 1.662 kilograms. The haul was valued at ₹1.56 crore. On the same day, another smuggler was caught in Swarupnagar, North 24 Parganas, transporting gold and silver jewellery worth ₹8.36 lakh hidden inside a motorcycle’s fuel tank.

On May 4, troops from the 71st Battalion at Khandua post in Murshidabad seized 1.06 kilograms of methaqualone and 100 grams of heroin, valued at ₹3.38 crore in the illegal drug market.

Further action on May 7 at the Bithari checkpoint in Swarupnagar led to the arrest of a smuggler bringing 335 grams of gold biscuits from Bangladesh. The gold was valued at ₹33.53 lakh.

On May 15, BSF personnel from Haldarpada post in Nadia recovered 17.66 kilograms of silver balls worth ₹17.13 lakh, in addition to 6 kilograms of cannabis and 216 bottles of Phensedyl. Another operation the same day led to the recovery of an additional 6 kilograms of cannabis and 216 bottles of Phensedyl.

Acting on a tip-off, BSF units in Hakimpur, North 24 Parganas, intercepted two individuals on May 16 and seized 10 gold biscuits weighing 1.167 kilograms, valued at ₹1.11 crore. Simultaneously, personnel from the 32nd and 143rd Battalions recovered 41 kilograms of cannabis in separate raids across Nadia and North 24 Parganas.

On May 28, jawans from Ghojadanga post in North 24 Parganas recovered a suspicious bag containing 5,914 yaba tablets and 110 bottles of Winserex syrup, worth ₹59.14 lakh. That same day, joint teams from the 67th and 143rd Battalions seized 34.58 kilograms of cannabis and 308 bottles of Phensedyl, arresting one smuggler and confiscating a motorcycle.

All seized contraband, including gold, silver, narcotics, and the apprehended individuals, have been handed over to the concerned authorities for further legal action.

A spokesperson from BSF South Bengal Frontier described the series of operations as a major success in the fight against smuggling and drug trafficking along the international border. He noted that BSF troops remain alert and committed to preventing any unlawful activity along the border, with smugglers increasingly being deterred by the force’s swift and vigilant actions.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh