Before the sixth phase of upcoming Lok Sabha election in West Bengal, vigilant troops of border outpost Ghojadanga, 102 Battalion BSF under the South Bengal Frontier got big success and thwarted gold smuggling attempt at the international border of District North 24 Parganas of West Bengal and arrested an Indian smuggler with 11 big and 04 small pieces of Gold when he was trying to smuggle these gold pieces from Bangladesh to India by hiding in the air filter of motorcycle. The total weight of seized gold pieces is 1166.48 Grams and the estimated market value is Rs. 85,15,304/-
On May 23, 2024 specific information was provided by the intelligence department to the troops of BOP Ghojadanga about the possible smuggling of gold by a suspected Motorcycle rider in the AOR of IOP-Panitar. Upon getting the information all troops on duty Parties and Zero Point Check Post Party alerted. Zero Point Check Post Party intercepted the suspected Motorcycle at Zero Point-Panitar as per information and the suspected rider and motorcycle were searched and troops recovered two small packets wrapped with yellow tape concealed inside the Air filter of the motorcycle. Upon opening the packets 11 pieces (Big and Small), and 04 small broken pieces of Gold biscuits were found.
The apprehended motorcycle rider was identified as Rabiul Rahaman Gazi S/O Fajlu Rahaman Gazi of Village-Panitar under PS – Basirhat, dist- North 24 Parganas, West Bengal.
During Interrogation Rabiul Rahaman Gazi revealed that he worked as a truck driver and imported and exported goods from India to Bangladesh through the Ghojadanga-Bhomra Border. Further said that a Bangladeshi smuggler Babu offered to work as a gold carrier for him and he accepted it. On 23 May he met Babu and received the consignment near Alamgir fish pond and hid in the bike filter cavity. Before the delivery of the consignment, he was stopped at the BSF check post by the BSF party at Zero Point-Panitar and found gold while searching. he said that he used to get paid 2000/- rupees for each delivery.
Public Relations Officer of BSF, South Bengal Frontier, A.K. Arya, DIG expressed happiness over this achievement of BSF Jawans. He further said that strict action would be taken against those involved in smuggling. He appealed to the people living on the border that if they get any information related to gold smuggling then they should contact BSF’s Border Sathi helpline number and give information to BSF on number 14419. South Bengal Frontier has also issued another number 9903472227 to which WhatsApp messages or voice messages related to gold smuggling can be sent. An appropriate reward amount will be given to the person giving concrete information and his identity will be kept confidential.