Gold worth Rs 1.5 crore, foreign currency seized in Bengal

The Border Security Force (BSF) has seized smuggled gold ornaments worth around Rs 1.5 crore and USD 30,000 from West Bengal's Nadia district, a BSF officer said on Friday.

Acting on a tip-off, the BSF troopers on Thursday conducted a special vigil at border outpost Banpur under Nadia's Krishnagar sector and stopped the gold from being smuggled to Bangladesh.

"The BSF personnel challenged a group of 8-10 Bangladeshis near the border when they were trying to collect two bags thrown from the Indian side. 4.76 Kgs of gold ornaments including bangles, necklace, rings, bracelets, etc., worth Rs 1.49 crore were seized from the bags," the officer said.

Along with the gold, USD 30,000, wrapped in plastic tape, was also recovered from the spot, he said.

None of the smugglers from either side of the fence could be apprehended during the operation.

"The seized items were handed over to customs authorities in Banpur for further legal action," the officer added.

The South Bengal Frontier of BSF has seized gold ornament worth Rs 5.79 crore and foreign currency worth Rs 1.06 crore so far in 2018.

--IANS

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