Agartala, March 4: The Border Security Force (BSF) has intercepted a substantial cache of Indian goods valued at Rs 4,37,15,589 during smuggling attempts from Tripura to Bangladesh over the past six months. Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha, who also oversees the Home portfolio, revealed this information during a session in the state assembly on Monday.
The BSF’s vigilant efforts along the 856-kilometer-long border between the two countries led to the seizure of various items, including drugs, clothing, cattle, sugar, and foreign currency, from August 1, 2023, to January 31, 2024. The specifics of the seized items are 2212.87 kg of cannabis worth Rs 1,10,64,350, 11,411 bottles of cough syrup worth Rs 21,22,886, 2047 Yaba tablets worth Rs 1,02,350, 32.83 grams of heroin worth Rs 3,28,300, 248 bundles of clothing worth Rs 2,31,05,900, Bangladeshi currency equivalent to Rs 10,53,593, 71 cattle valued at Rs 21,10,000, 29,900 kg of sugar worth Rs 14,95,000.
Additionally, the BSF confiscated other items, including foreign liquor, a Bolero pick-up van, and mobile sets.
In response to the smuggling activities, the BSF has registered 14 cases and arrested 26 smugglers, who were subsequently handed over to local law enforcement for further action. The state government is actively collaborating with the BSF and other agencies to curb cross-border smuggling and illegal activities.
Chief Minister Prof. Dr. Manik Saha urged residents living in border areas to cooperate with security forces by reporting any suspicious movements or activities.
