In a significant blow to cross-border narcotics trafficking, security forces intercepted a major consignment of cannabis along the porous India-Nepal frontier in Bihar's Madhubani district. The operation, spearheaded by the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), underscores the ongoing vigilance against organized smuggling networks exploiting the border.
Late-Night Raid Nets Massive Haul
Acting on precise intelligence inputs, a coordinated team swung into action on Friday night. The operation was a joint effort involving personnel from the SSB's 48th Battalion based in Jaynagar, specifically its F-Company from Madhwapur, the Border Out Post (BOP) at Parsa, Company Gangaur, and officers from the Madhwapur police station.
The raid was conducted around 11:05 PM near border pillar number 295, an area close to the Narmadeshwar Kuti temple. Officials confirmed the spot was a mere 30 metres inside Indian territory, highlighting the brazen nature of the smuggling attempt. The team successfully recovered three large plastic sacks containing approximately 95 kilograms of suspected cannabis (ganja).
Smuggling Racket and Arrest
According to an official press release from the SSB, the packaging and the substantial quantity of the seizure indicate a well-organized smuggling operation. During the raid, security personnel managed to apprehend one Nepali national who was allegedly acting as a courier for the racket. However, two other individuals accompanying him exploited the darkness and fled across the border into Nepal, evading capture.
Preliminary investigations following the seizure have revealed two local backward links connected to the smuggling network. These are believed to be local contacts or facilitators on the Indian side. Authorities have stated that, as of now, no forward link (the intended recipients or distribution chain) has been established. A thorough probe is currently underway to unravel the entire network.
Coordinated Effort and Handover
The success of this operation is attributed to actionable intelligence gathered from local sources by the F-Company of Madhwapur and the swift coordination between the SSB and the local police. This synergy between central armed police forces and state police is crucial for effective border management and law enforcement.
Following the procedure, the seized contraband, weighing nearly 95kg, and the arrested individual have been formally handed over to the Madhwapur police. The local police will now lead the legal proceedings, including further interrogation and the filing of charges under relevant narcotics laws.
This seizure is part of the SSB's sustained crackdown on the smuggling of narcotics and other contraband across the India-Nepal border, a persistent challenge for security agencies in the region.
