DHAKA: Indian Customs has seized 400 kilogram of marijuana worth Rs 25 lakh at Baijantipur-Kripali border that was being smuggled into Bangladesh.
Based on specific information that a Bangladesh bound big consignment of marijuana has been hidden in the bordering jungle in Sidhai area, BSF troopers laid a trap at night and started a joint search operation along with the Excise department, said Murlidhar, deputy commandant of the 195 battalion of BSF.
The marijuana consignment was packed in small plastic packets which were supposed to be thrown over the barbed wire fencing into Bangladesh for collection by another group of smugglers on the other side, Murlidhar said.
According to sources, there are rackets involved in illegal cultivation of cannabis particularly in the bordering area taking advantage of sparse habitation and absence of security forces.
Generally the poor border population are involved in the illegal cultivation and the final harvest is generally smuggled to neighbouring Bangladesh.
BSF is carrying out operations against the marijuana and phensedyl smugglers throughout the state.
Until December last year, BSF had destroyed Bangladesh bound ganja worth more than Rs 8 crores and contraband worth Rs 15 crores in Tripura.
