BSF seizes ‘record’ 41.49 kg gold near Benapole border

The Indian Border Security Force yesterday seized 41.49kg gold worth Rs 21.22 crore from five bags left behind by suspected smugglers near Benapole, reportedly the biggest gold haul by Indian security forces along the Indo-Bangladesh border.

"This is reportedly the biggest single seizure of gold by any Indian law enforcement agency along the India-Bangladesh border," BSF said.

Acting on specific information of cross-border movement of smugglers at the border outpost of Gunarmath village in West Bengal's North 24 Parganas district, the personnel of 158 battalion of the BSF laid an ambush along the Ichhamati river on Thursday.

According to BSF, around 6:30pm, the forces noticed a group of about seven-eight suspected smugglers crossing the international border by a boat with some bags.

Challenged, the smugglers jumped into the river and swam back to Bangladesh, leaving behind all the goods, the BSF said.

A thorough search of the area led to the recovery of five bags containing 321 gold biscuits, four gold bars, one gold coin and a wooden boat.

Besides, four mobile phones, packing materials and a few Bangladeshi newspapers were also seized.