BSF, Police, and Customs Seize Smuggled Goods on Shillong-Dhaka Bus

A joint operation by BSF, police, and Customs in Meghalaya's East Khasi Hills led to the seizure of Rs 50 lakh worth of smuggled silver, sarees, and electronic goods from a Shillong-Dhaka bus. Three Bangladeshi nationals were apprehended while passengers safely returned home.

A joint team of BSF, police, and Customs seized silver, sarees, and electronic items worth Rs 50 lakh from a Shillong-Dhaka bus in Meghalaya's East Khasi Hills district and apprehended three Bangladeshi nationals for allegedly smuggling the items, officials said on Wednesday.

Based on specific intelligence inputs, the joint team conducted a raid on the Bangladesh-bound bus at Dawki on Monday evening. A huge consignment of silver, sarees, and electronic items worth close to Rs 50 lakh was found hidden in compartments of the bus, a BSF official informed PTI.

The bus staff, including the driver and handymen, failed to provide satisfactory documents to substantiate the presence of the items. The three apprehended individuals, all bus staff, and the seized items were handed over to Customs, he said. There were 24 passengers in the bus when the incident took place; they were escorted to their home country without any hindrance, a customs official told PTI. Notably, the Shillong-Dhaka Maitri Bus service has been operational since 2014.

(With inputs from agencies.)