BGB seizes smuggled goods worth 1.41 crore taka in twin border raids

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has seized Indian smuggled goods worth 1.41 crore taka in separate intelligence-led operations along the Brahmanbaria and Cumilla border, officials said on Wednesday.

The seizures were made by the Sultanpur Battalion (60 BGB) during raids in several frontier areas of Kasba upazila in Brahmanbaria and Brahmanpara upazila in Cumilla.

According to the BGB, patrol teams carried out the operations in Moinpur, Chandidar and Kasba in Brahmanbaria, and Saldanadi and Madla in Cumilla, acting on specific intelligence.

The recovered contraband included Indian basmati rice, sarees, premium soap, cattle, chocolates, chilli seeds, Neurobion Forte tablets, shrimp larvae and cannabis. The total estimated value of the seized goods was 1.41 crore taka.

BGB said legal proceedings have been initiated. The confiscated goods will be handed over to customs authorities, while narcotics and other seized items will be dealt with in accordance with existing laws.

Lieutenant Colonel SM Shariful Islam, commanding officer of the Sultanpur Battalion, said the force remains vigilant against cross-border crimes, including smuggling, drug trafficking, illegal push-ins, and the trafficking of women and children.

He said intelligence surveillance and operational activities along the border had been further strengthened in line with the BGB director general's directive to make the force "a symbol of border security and trust."

Shariful Islam said the BGB would continue conducting similar operations to curb all forms of cross-border crime along the border.