Contraband seized from Dhaka-Shillong bus at Dawki

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaAugust 27, 2024

In successful joint operation Land Port Authority Dawki, Land Custom Station Dawki and BSF seized a large quantity of contraband items, including women’s sarees, mobile phones, silver items for ladies, mobile accessories in a secret chamber of the passenger bus on August 26 at Dawki Land Port.

The contraband was seized from the Dhaka Shillong bound bus operated by Shyamoli NR Travels under the Bangladesh Road Transport Cooperation (BRTC)

The Superintendent of Land Customs Station Tambil Dawki, Clara Nongrum said that three Bangladeshi citizens were detained for further investigation, along with the bus that was traveling back to Dhaka. There were 28 other Bangladeshi passengers who were later safely escorted back to the International Border between India and Bangladesh after the investigation.

Dawki Land Port Authority Manager T.C. Chacko stated that they had received confidential information indicating that the bus operated by Shyamoli N.R Travels, traveling between Dhaka and Shillong, both inbound and outbound, was suspected of carrying contraband. Acting on this tip-off, the authorities conducted a search and discovered two secret chambers beneath the chassis and alongside the luggage compartment. The recovered items included approximately 30 kilograms of silver, around 180 Banarasi sarees, and various electronic items. A detailed inventory is currently being prepared.

He further mentioned that the legal formalities, including the seizure, are being handled by Customs. The total value of the seized items will be determined after further assessment, but if it crosses Rs 50 lakhs, additional procedures will follow.