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Kolkata, October 12 (IANS) The Border Security Force (BSF) has caught a gold smuggler on the India-Bangladesh border and the precious metal has been handed over to the concerned authorities. Officials gave this information on Sunday.
“Troops of the 32nd Battalion, South Bengal Frontier of BSF, deployed at Horandipur border post on the India-Bangladesh International Border in West Bengal, achieved a significant success by catching an Indian smuggler red-handed,” the BSF said in a statement.
Based on accurate and reliable intelligence, the troops recovered 20 gold biscuits weighing a total of 2332.66 grams. According to officials, the estimated value of the seized gold is around Rs 2.82 crore.
On Saturday night, soldiers of 32 battalion deployed at Horandipur BOP received reliable information from confidential sources that a person from Muslimpara village near India-Bangladesh border is planning to smuggle gold brought from Bangladesh through Horandipur area.
On receiving the information, the officers on duty were put on extra alert and a special ambush was laid at the suspected location to catch the smuggler red-handed.
Officials said that around 6 am on Sunday, the ambush team saw a suspicious person moving cautiously behind a dense bamboo forest.
“The man was immediately surrounded and apprehended. On searching him, a plastic packet was recovered which when opened contained 20 gold biscuits. The smuggler was detained on the spot and brought to Horandipur BOP for further questioning,” he said.
The seized gold biscuits and the arrested suspect were handed over to the concerned authorities for further legal action.
The Public Relations Officer of BSF South Bengal Frontier appealed to residents of border areas to share any information related to gold smuggling by contacting the force’s ‘Seema Sathi’ helpline number 14419 or by sending a message or voice note through WhatsApp on 9903472227.
Officials also said that appropriate rewards will be given for credible information and the identity of the informant will be kept strictly confidential.
–IANS
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