(District: North 24 Parganas)
On May 27, 2023, the jawans of Border Outpost Hakimpur, 112 Battalion under South Bengal Frontier, apprehended a smuggler with 12 gold biscuits at the Indo-Bangladesh border based on specific information. The seized gold weighs 1.397 kg and has an estimated value of Rs 86,04,659. The smuggler was attempting to smuggle the gold from Bangladesh into India.
It is important to note that, based on reliable information, the jawans at the Hakimpur check post stopped a suspicious individual who was traveling from Hakimpur village towards Swaroopdha. Initially, the man denied having anything with him. However, upon using a Hand Held Metal Detector (HHMD) during the search, the device emitted a beep sound. The smuggler then confessed to the jawans that he had concealed 12 gold biscuits in his rectum. Consequently, the jawans took the smuggler to the border post for further questioning. The apprehended smuggler has been identified as Mainur Khan, a 56-year-old resident of Hakimpur village, Majarpara, in North 24 Parganas district.
During interrogation, Mainur Khan revealed that on May 26, at approximately 7:00 PM, Sahjul, a resident of Satkhira district in Bangladesh, came to his house after crossing the Sonai river and handed him 12 gold biscuits in 6 packets. His task was to deliver these gold biscuits to Rajib in Basirhat, North 24 Parganas district, and he would receive Rs 1300 for this work. However, the BSF jawans apprehended him while crossing the Hakimpur check post.
The innocent villagers living near the border are often tempted and deceived by smugglers who entice them with a small sum of money, subsequently involving them in criminal activities such as smuggling. On May 25, the Border Security Force (BSF) jawans intercepted a significant shipment of gold. During the operation at ICP Petrapole, the jawans apprehended a smuggler in possession of 36 gold biscuits valued at approximately Rs 3 crore.
The apprehended smuggler, along with the seized goods, was handed over to the Custom Office in Tantulia.
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 regarding gold smuggling. Informants providing credible information will be rewarded, and their identities will remain confidential.
( Source : BSF)