Indian smuggled goods worth Tk 22 lakh seized on Sylhet border

Indian smuggled goods worth Tk 22 lakh have been seized in the Sylhet border area. The goods were confiscated during an operation carried out to prevent smuggling across the border, it has been learned.

The seized goods are estimated to be worth around Tk 22 lakh, according to relevant sources. However, details of exactly which border point the goods were seized from and what kinds of products they were were not immediately available.

The Sylhet division shares a long border with India. There have long been allegations of smuggled goods moving through various points of this border, which is surrounded by hills, haors and rivers, and border guard forces conduct regular operations to stop it.

Smuggling causes the government to lose huge amounts of revenue on the one hand, and harms domestic traders and producers on the other. Traders also complain that goods entering through illegal routes create unfair competition for legitimate importers when they reach the market.

Residents of the border area say smuggling gangs try to move goods using the cover of darkness and difficult terrain. Although large consignments are seized from time to time, residents allege the gangs simply choose new routes.

Legal proceedings over the seized goods are under way, it has been learned. It is not yet clear whether anyone involved with the goods has been detained.

Surveillance has been stepped up to prevent smuggling on the border, officials said. Extra activity is being carried out especially in areas through which smuggled goods have repeatedly been reported to enter.

Local community leaders say it is difficult to stop smuggling completely through raids alone; the main gangs behind it must be identified and brought under the law. They also believe it is important to increase legitimate employment opportunities for people in the border area.

Large consignments of Indian smuggled goods have been seized from various points on the Sylhet border before as well. Although surveillance is said to be increased after each incident, local people complain that smuggling has not stopped completely.

A full list of the seized goods and details about those involved in the incident are expected to be known later. Law enforcement activity on the border is continuing.