BSF seizes US currency worth Rs 19,50,000 from Indo-Bangla border

KOLKATA: Troops of the Border Security Force’s South Bengal Frontier intercepted a smuggler and succeeded in recovering foreign currency valued at Rs 19,50,000 from close to the Indo-Bangladesh border in the Krishna Nagar Sector of North 24-Parganas on Thursday.
“In the morning, we received information regarding smuggling of foreign currency and troops of the 113Bn from the Vijaypur Border Out Post (BOP) laid a special ambush on the Indo-Bangladesh Border Road (IBBR). Around 9.20 am, a motorcyclist was spotted. He was approaching from the Banpur side. On spotting the ambush party, the motorcyclist turned towards the BSF observation post party that was already on duty on the border road. When troops at the observation post ordered him to stop, he left his motorcycle and fled towards villages on the Indian side. While fleeing, he dropped some packets,” a senior BSF official said.

Despite a chase, the BSF personnel from the observation post could not apprehend the criminal. According to another official, it gets difficult to apprehend such people once they take shelter inside a village. To evade detection, criminals drop whatever incriminating substance they have on their persons before they flee.

On searching the area, two packets were recovered. On opening them, the BSF personnel found $30,000 (300 currency notes of $100 each). At current exchange rates, they are valued at Rs 19,50,000. A motorcycle bearing registration number WB 52AJ 4428 was also seized. The seized currency and motorcycle have been handed over to the customs office in Banpur for legal action.