Malda, 3 September (H.S.): In a major crackdown on counterfeit currency, the West Bengal Special Task Force (STF) seized fake Indian currency notes (FICN) with a face value of ₹20.87 lakh during a late-night operation in Malda district. Two traffickers were arrested in the raid conducted on Tuesday night at PTS More along NH-12 in the Baishnabnagar police station area, on the route towards Farakka.

STF Superintendent of Police, IPS Indrajit Basu, confirmed on Wednesday that the operation was launched following a tip-off about possible FICN movement in the area. Acting on the information, STF personnel intercepted two men loitering suspiciously near the highway. On searching their bags, investigators recovered bundles of counterfeit notes.

A total of 4,174 notes in ₹500 denomination were seized, each carrying different serial numbers. During preliminary questioning, the arrested men admitted that the consignment had been smuggled into India from Bangladesh.

The accused were identified as Hazrat Belal alias Masud (24) of Baishnabnagar, Malda, and Torikul Islam (25) of Kaliachak, Malda. Both were caught near PTS More, NH-12, under suspicious circumstances.

Basu said that after completing necessary legal formalities, the duo was taken into custody and an FIR has been lodged at Baishnabnagar police station under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023. Investigators are now probing the wider network and supply chain connected to the racket.

Authorities added that surveillance has been intensified in border areas prone to cross-border FICN smuggling. The STF is working in coordination with local police, enhancing profiling of suspects, and strengthening its informer network to dismantle such syndicates from the root. Forensic and technical analysis of the seized notes—including print quality, serial series patterns, and sourcing routes—is also underway to trace further links.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh