NEW DELHI: The 32 Battalion of the Border Security Force (BSF) South Bengal Frontier conducted a major operation in the Naghata area of Majhdia town, located under the Kishanganj police station in Nadia district. The operation carried out on the India-Bangladesh international border in West Bengal, resulted in the seizure of 62,200 bottles of Phensedyl valued at ₹1,40,58,444.
This substantial haul is being hailed as a major blow to smuggling activities in the region. Acting on precise and reliable intelligence, the personnel of Border Outpost Tungi of the 32 Bn BSF South Bengal Frontier launched a cordon and search operation in the Naghata area on 24 January 2025 at 2:45 PM.
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The operation involved the coordinated efforts of BSF officers, jawans, and local police. During the search, the team discovered three underground storage tanks; two tanks were concealed under dense vegetation and one tank was hidden beneath a hut constructed with CGI sheets.
Boxes filled with Phensedyl bottles were recovered from these storage tanks. In total, 62,200 bottles of Phensedyl, valued at ₹1,40,58,444, were seized. The sheer scale of the haul took the officials by surprise and highlighted the sophistication of the smuggling network.
This operation has exposed the extent of the smuggling network operating in the area and shed light on their intricate modus operandi. The use of underground storage tanks to conceal contraband demonstrates the lengths smugglers go to evade detection.
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BSF South Bengal Frontier spokesperson appreciated this significant operation and said that this achievement is a testament to the vigilance, courage and commitment of the Border Security Force personnel. He further said that more information is being gathered on this complex network of smugglers which may lead to bigger revelations in the future.
The seizure of such a massive consignment of Phensedyl—a codeine-based cough syrup often misused as a recreational drug—underscores the ongoing challenges of curbing cross-border drug trafficking. The Union Health and Family Welfare Ministry banned the manufacturing and sale of 350 fixed-dose combination (FDC) drugs, including Phensedyl and Corex, due to the irrational use of these products.
The BSF’s continued efforts to dismantle smuggling networks along the India-Bangladesh border are crucial for maintaining regional security and public safety. As investigations progress, authorities hope to uncover more details about the network’s operations and collaborators, potentially leading to further breakthroughs in the fight against smuggling.
