AGARTALA, Sep 9 (TIWN): On input shared by DRI Guwahati about “12 wheeledcivil Tata truck loaded with Potatoes and having contraband items hidden beneath sacks of Potatoes moving from Guwahati towards Agartala, on NH-44 and likely to enter Tripura shortly”, BSF held a raid successfully. The information was assessed and further developed by Field ‘G’ team SHQ Panisagar to identify the subjected vehicle. After some time, confirmation received of crossing of above suspicious truck from Panisagar, Tripura.

It was decided to stop the vehicle in area of responsibility of 07 Bn BSF at Nalkataand stops were placed to keep vigil on the other escape routes. The suspected vehicle was intercepted by BSF at designated placeand DRI Guwahati and Silchar were informed, to join, to complete the legal formalities. On arrival of representative of DRI, the suspected vehicle was checked thoroughly andillegal quantity of 40,500 bottles of Phensedyl worth Rs.561,63,750/- and 22,400 bottles of Es-Koff syrup worth Rs.21,50,400/- concealed with 5,250kgs Potato worth Rs.21,000/- were seized along with the truck valued Rs.19.8Lacs (approx.). Total value of seizure excluding value of vehicle is Rs.73,35,150/-. The driver of the vehicle namely Biman Paul and co-driver namely RupakNathwere apprehended by the party with the seized goods. Apprehended personnel along with seized goods are handed over to DRIauthorities for further lawful disposal at their end.

BSF troops and DRI staff in 02 days,seized huge quantity of contrabands worth Rs.1.43 crores, which will severely distress the supply chain of the smugglers/suppliers of illicit drugs to Bangladesh and will also damage them financially. Phensedyl/codein based cough syrup are being brought to the State of Tripura though national highways and further distributed to the bordering areas by the suppliers for smuggling purpose to Bangladesh due to high demand factor, where the cost of each bottle is 400/- BD Taka. BSF, Tripura Frontier is making all efforts to curb the trans-border crime from the bordering areas by making effective seizures.