Habiganj, Nov 04 (V7N) – Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has seized a covered van carrying illegally imported Indian cumin and Kaveri henna worth an estimated Tk 1 crore 8 lakh 46 thousand 400 in Madhabpur upazila of Habiganj. The driver abandoned the vehicle and fled.
Lieutenant Colonel Tanzilur Rahman, commanding officer of Habiganj Battalion (55 BGB), disclosed the seizure in a press release on Monday, November 3.
According to BGB, the seizure followed intelligence information about the transportation of illegal Indian goods. On November 1, a special team of 55 BGB conducted an operation and set up a temporary checkpoint near Muktijoddha Chattar in Madhabpur, around five kilometres inside the border.
At approximately 4:10pm, the driver of a covered van approaching the checkpoint apparently realised that BGB personnel were conducting an operation. He abandoned the vehicle on the roadside about 300 metres before Muktijoddha Chattar and fled.
BGB personnel later searched the abandoned van in the presence of local residents and recovered a large quantity of illegally imported Indian cumin and Kaveri henna.
The estimated market value of the seized goods and the covered van is Tk 1 crore 8 lakh 46 thousand 400.
BGB said steps were underway to hand over the seized goods to the Customs authorities in accordance with the relevant legal procedures.
Lieutenant Colonel Tanzilur Rahman said BGB remained vigilant in maintaining border security, preventing drug smuggling and curbing all forms of cross-border trafficking.
He added that regular patrols, intelligence surveillance and special operations had been intensified in border areas.
The commanding officer also said that Habiganj Battalion had seized goods worth more than Tk 63 crore in anti-smuggling operations so far this year. A total of 26 people had also been detained during these operations, he added.
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