Agency News

India News | Customs Seizes Smuggled Textiles Worth Rs 3.3 Crore on Fishing Trawler to Bangladesh

Get latest articles and stories on India at LatestLY. Customs seized smuggled textiles worth Rs 3.3 crore on a fishing trawler going to Bangladesh.

India News | Customs Seizes Smuggled Textiles Worth Rs 3.3 Crore on Fishing Trawler to Bangladesh

New Delhi [India], September 11 (ANI): Customs seized smuggled textiles worth Rs 3.3 crore on a fishing trawler going to Bangladesh.

"On the basis of Specific Intelligence, a fishing trawler was intercepted by the officers of the Commissionerate of Customs (Preventive) West Bengal, in the intervening night of September 6-7, which was coming from Diamond Harbour towards Sagar Island," an official press release said.

Also Read | JEE Main Results 2020 Declared: Twitter Abuzz as Students Unable to Check Scores Share Funny Memes and Jokes.

As per intelligence, it was to cross over to Bangladesh using an unauthorised riverine route and channel, carrying goods of Indian Origin in the guise of fishing. The officers of Customs with the support of Coast Guard had kept a vigil from various strategic points, it added.

The fishing trawler was identified from a distance on the said route but the trawler changed the route and attempted to escape after noticing the official vessels. They were eventually intercepted near Geonkhali. The persons on board abandoned the trawler and jumped into the waters and attempted to flee but six of them were subsequently arrested with the help from Indian Coast Guard and the local police, it said.

Also Read | Shiv Sena’s Kamlesh Kadam And 3 Others Arrested by Mumbai Police For Assaulting Retired Indian Navy Officer.

It said, "Upon search of the trawler, various incriminating documents along with identity cards of certain Bangladeshi and Indian nationals were found. Mobile phones with Bangladeshi SIM cards and personal effects, all made in Bangladesh, were recovered. The trawler also had flags of Bangladesh and it appears that the same would have been displayed after they had illegally crossed the International border."

The persons on board the trawler were engaging in smuggling of Sarees/Garments concealed inside the trawler in about 400 gunny bags having a value of Rs. 3.3 crore approximately, it said.

The press statement further said, Interrogation of the arrested persons confirmed that the vessel was heading to cross over to Bangladesh through an unauthorised route with an intention to smuggle Indian goods to Bangladesh. Further investigation in the matter is under process.

This interception has revealed that all these unauthorised routes are being closely monitored by Government Agencies to prevent any illegal activities and in the interest of national security. This is one of the biggest seizure in the recent past, involving the smuggling of export goods to Bangladesh, it added. (ANI)

(The above story is verified and authored by ANI staff, ANI is South Asia's leading multimedia news agency with over 100 bureaus in India, South Asia and across the globe. ANI brings the latest news on Politics and Current Affairs in India & around the World, Sports, Health, Fitness, Entertainment, & News. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)