BSF Seizes 220 Bottles of Smuggled Phensedyl En Route to Bangladesh

SHILLONG: In a significant operation, troops from the Border Security Force (BSF) stationed in Meghalaya thwarted a smuggling attempt, seizing 220 bottles of Phensedyl at the International Border of the East Khasi Hills district. The intercepted contraband was intended for illicit distribution in Bangladesh, a country where the consumption of alcoholic beverages is prohibited. This incident underscores a recurring pattern of successful operations by the BSF Meghalaya, marking the seizure of more than 1300 bottles of Phensedyl since the commencement of 2023. The confiscated bottles have been promptly handed over to the relevant authorities for necessary legal action.

The seized Phensedyl bottles, a cough syrup containing codeine and often misused as a substitute for alcohol, were concealed in a transportation effort to breach international boundaries. This seizure follows a similar operation on August 4, wherein local authorities raided a truck at the Assam-Tripura border and confiscated a substantial quantity of Phensedyl. The truck, originating from Guwahati and en route to Agartala, carried a staggering 35,300 bottles of the banned substance, estimated to be valued at approximately Rs 2 crore.

The crackdown on such illicit activities is of utmost importance to the BSF, given their efforts to prevent the cross-border circulation of restricted substances. These actions play a vital role in maintaining border security and upholding international law. The police, in their pursuit of curbing the illegal trade, apprehended both the truck driver and the handyman, registering a case against them under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act. The investigation also revealed suspicions that the smugglers were exploiting the ongoing border fencing work to surreptitiously transport the banned substance.

In the ongoing battle against the unlawful trade of Phensedyl and similar substances, the BSF's relentless efforts stand as a bulwark against criminal activities that attempt to exploit border porosities. The seizures not only curtail the distribution of harmful substances but also contribute significantly to maintaining the rule of law and public safety.

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