SSB Seizes Gold and Silver at Bengal-Nepal Border, Four Arrested

Kolkata, October 2 (Daily Kiran) : Kolkata authorities reported that on October 2, the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) intercepted a vehicle at the international border with Nepal, seizing gold and silver. The incident occurred around 11:40 AM on the New Mechi Bridge, where SSB personnel from the 41st Battalion conducted routine checks. Four individuals were arrested and handed over to the customs department.A senior SSB officer revealed that the silver Maruti Suzuki Ertiga was stopped after being flagged by the Border Intelligence Team (BIT). During the inspection, a passenger, identified as 47-year-old Dhanjeet Patgiri, was found with a bag containing suspected gold bars and coins. Authorities stated that the suspects failed to provide satisfactory documentation or explanations regarding the items. The seized goods included four gold bars weighing approximately 10 grams each, three gold coins weighing around 20 grams each, and a silver coin weighing 100 grams.Besides Patgiri, the other passengers were identified as 33-year-old Ashish Poddar, 36-year-old Vikas Agarwal, and the driver, 41-year-old Naba Kumar Roy. It remains unclear whether the other passengers were aware of the contents Patgiri was carrying. The SSB confirmed that the seizure and arrests were made under Section 110 of the Customs Act of 1962. The seized items, vehicle, and individuals are now in the custody of the customs office in Panitanki for further legal action.While the reason for Patgiri's attempt to transport the gold and silver to Nepal is still unknown, some speculate he intended to sell them there, as gold and silver are generally more expensive in Nepal compared to India. Officials noted that smugglers often attempt to transport precious metals across the border to capitalize on price differences. The open border policy allows citizens of both countries to travel without passports or visas, presenting ongoing challenges for the SSB in monitoring all individuals crossing the border.Consequently, SSB personnel increasingly rely on intelligence to apprehend cross-border criminals.