BSF Seizes Gold Worth Rs 1.02 Crore Hidden in Bicycle Tyre at India-Bangladesh Border

The gold was concealed within a bicycle tyre, according to a senior BSF official.

Kolkata:

The Border Security Force (BSF) has confiscated gold valued at approximately Rs 1.02 crore along the India-Bangladesh border in West Bengal's Malda district, officials announced on Thursday.

The gold was discovered hidden inside a bicycle tyre.

"Personnel from the 119 Battalion of BSF stationed at the M.S. Pur Border Outpost in Malda received specific intelligence about an attempted gold smuggling operation from Bangladesh to India through their jurisdiction. Border surveillance was enhanced and all movements were thoroughly monitored," a senior official from BSF's South Bengal Frontier explained.

"At approximately 2:56 p.m., troops observed a suspicious individual approaching the border with a bicycle. The person was intercepted and the bicycle was examined. During inspection, troops noticed the front tyre appeared unusually swollen and rigid, raising suspicions. Upon removing the tyre, seven gold biscuits were discovered concealed inside," the official continued.

The smuggler managed to escape during the confusion that ensued.

While BSF personnel were engaged with the bicycle examination, the smuggler fled toward a densely populated area.

Any pursuit by BSF could have potentially resulted in collateral damage.

The confiscated gold was transported to the border outpost for weighing.

The gold biscuits weighed a total of 816.41 grams with an estimated value of Rs 1,02,40,230.

Following the incident, a comprehensive search operation was conducted throughout the area, but the smuggler remained untraceable.

The seized gold has been transferred to the appropriate agency for further legal procedures.

The official commended the successful operation and stated that BSF personnel are fully equipped, vigilant, and committed to preventing illegal activities such as smuggling along the border.

He also encouraged border residents to share any information regarding gold smuggling through the BSF Seema Sathi helpline '14419' or by sending WhatsApp or voice messages to 9903472227.

The official assured that suitable rewards would be provided for credible information, and informants' identities would be strictly protected.