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Kolkata, Oct 17 (IANS) The Border Security Force (BSF) on Thursday foiled a gold smuggling attempt by arresting a smuggler with gold bars weighing 579 grams at the India-Bangladesh Border (IBB) in North 24-Parganas district of West Bengal.
The price of gold is Rs 76.50 lakh. BSF has made several such seizures worth crores of rupees from IBBs in West Bengal in the last few weeks.
Thursday’s operation involved troops of 143 battalion BSF, South Bengal Frontier, deployed at Hakimpur border post (BOP).
A senior officer said, “There was specific intelligence of an attempt to smuggle gold, and the troops were on high alert. They stopped a black car moving suspiciously from Hakimpur market towards Swarupdah. During a thorough search, a rectangular metal brick-like object wrapped in black tape was found hidden inside the dashboard of the car. When the tape was removed, the gold brick was revealed.”
The smuggler was taken to Hakimpur BOP for questioning. According to sources, he provided important information about the gold smuggling racket running in the area.
Later he was handed over to the concerned department along with the gold and the car for further legal process.
BSF has strengthened its intelligence network on IBB to prevent such crimes. Intelligence is now being regularly shared with troops, resulting in successes.
The officer said, “BSF personnel are fully capable of preventing all types of illegal activities on the border. I reiterate my appeal to the residents of the border areas to give any information regarding gold smuggling or other illegal activities by calling the Seema Sathi helpline number 14419. They can also send text or voice message on WhatsApp number 9903472227. Provide reliable information. Those who do will be given appropriate rewards and their identities will be kept secret.”
–IANS
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