BGB Seizes Indian Smuggled Goods Worth Over One Crore Taka, Including Drugs, on Cumilla-Brahmanbaria Border

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has seized a large quantity of drugs along with illegal Indian smuggled goods worth about 1 crore 5 lakh 76 thousand 490 taka in separate drives along the border areas of Cumilla and Brahmanbaria.

The consignments were intercepted on Saturday morning in drives at various border points under the BGB’s Sultanpur Battalion (60 BGB). The battalion’s commanding officer, Lieutenant Colonel S M Shariful Islam, confirmed the matter in a press release at noon.

BGB sources said the drives were conducted on the basis of secret intelligence, under the specific planning and direction of the battalion commander.

The drive areas included the Saldanadi, Shashidal and Shankuchail borders of Brahmanpara and Burichang upazilas in Cumilla, and the areas of responsibility of the Chandridar, Kajiatali and Moinpur BOP patrol teams in Kasba upazila of Brahmanbaria. Operating in their respective areas, the teams seized the goods.

The list of seized smuggled goods includes Indian sarees, fireworks, basmati rice, cattle, chocolates, fuska, face wash, olive oil, powder, soap, baby lotion and shampoo. A motorcycle was also seized.

Among the drugs, a large quantity of cannabis and Skaf syrup was seized. Altogether, the market value of the seized goods is about 1 crore 5 lakh 76 thousand 490 taka, the BGB said.

Such a large simultaneous drive at multiple border points in two districts on the same day also lays bare how active the border smuggling rings are. From everyday goods to cosmetics and drugs, the results of the drive suggest attempts were under way to bring many kinds of products into the country through illegal routes.

The BGB said the Sultanpur Battalion’s strict surveillance and operational activities would continue to strengthen maximum border security, prevent smuggling and drugs, and stop illegal infiltration and trafficking of women and children.

For residents of the border areas, these drives are a relief on the one hand and, on the other, proof of how active the smuggling rings are. Officials believe that if intelligence-based drives like this continue regularly, the routes for illegal goods will narrow.

The legal process concerning the seized goods will be completed next. Surveillance is also continuing to identify the rings behind these consignments, the BGB said.