(District: North 24 Parganas)
On May 25, 2023, the jawans of ICP Petrapole, 145 Battalion under South Bengal Frontier, successfully intercepted a smuggler disguised as a truck driver along with 36 gold biscuits at the Indo-Bangladesh International Border. The smuggler was attempting to smuggle these gold biscuits from Bangladesh into India. The seized gold weighs 4797.178 grams, with an estimated value of Rs 2,93,10,758/-.
Acting on credible intelligence, the vigilant jawans received information that a truck driver was planning to cross into India from Bangladesh with an empty truck. The jawans swiftly assembled a search party and intercepted the mentioned truck upon its entry into the Indian side at approximately 10:50 AM. Subsequently, the truck was taken to a warehouse for a thorough search. During the search, the jawans discovered 36 gold biscuits concealed behind the speaker box in the truck’s cabin, wrapped in cloth. The troops promptly apprehended the smuggler, along with the truck and the seized gold, and transported them to the outpost. The captured smuggler has been identified as Pradeep Roy Chowdhary, hailing from Talikhola (Motiganj) village in North 24 Parganas district.
The apprehended smuggler and the seized gold have been handed over to the P&I branch at Custom House Kolkata for further legal proceedings.
The Border Security Force urges residents of border areas to contact their Seema Saathi helpline number, 14419, to provide any information related to gold smuggling. Additionally, the South Bengal Frontier has established an additional number, 9903472227, for receiving WhatsApp messages or voice recordings concerning gold smuggling. Informants providing credible information will be rewarded, and their identities will remain confidential.
( Source: BSF)