A major West Bengal Cross-Border Drug Syndicate was busted during a joint police operation in Malda district, where officers seized around Rs 2.4-2.5 crore in cash, thousands of bottles of banned cough syrup, and approximately 20 grams of gold. Three people were arrested after an overnight raid carried out by Dakshin Dinajpur Police, Malda Police, and the West Bengal Police Special Operations Team.The operation was launched as part of an investigation into a cross-border smuggling network linked to illegal anti-cold drug trafficking.Key HighlightsWest Bengal Cross-Border Drug Syndicate busted in Malda district.Around Rs 2.4-2.5 crore cash, banned cough syrup, and 20 grams of gold seized.Three accused arrested during a joint police raid.Investigation is underway to expose the entire cross-border smuggling network.“Our government maintains an absolute zero-tolerance policy against drugs, crime and illegal syndicates. West Bengal will remain steadfast in protecting its youth,” Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari said.Joint Police Raid in MaldaThe West Bengal drug bust took place at a flat in Mangalbari, Malda district, during an overnight raid. Police officials said the operation was conducted jointly by Dakshin Dinajpur Police, Malda Police, and the state police’s Special Operations Team.The raid followed the arrest of an alleged smuggler, Mridul Ghosh, last month. During the investigation, police gathered information that led them to Ghosh’s associate Pintu Sarkar and two other suspects.All three accused were arrested from the Mangalbari flat, and the recovered items were taken into police custody.Huge Narcotics and Cash RecoveryAccording to police, the Malda police narcotics seizure included thousands of bottles of banned cough syrup, which is suspected to have been part of a large illegal drug distribution network.Officials estimated the black-market value of the seized cough syrup at around Rs 90 lakh.In addition, officers recovered Rs 2.4-2.5 crore in cash and 20 grams of gold, making it one of the most significant cash and gold seized in West Bengal operations in recent months.Watch the Full Video on Instagram:West Bengal Police Bust Cross-BorderCross-Border Smuggling Network Under InvestigationPolice believe the recovered materials were linked to a larger cross-border smuggling network operating across state and international border areas.Investigators are now examining:The source of the seized cash.The ownership of the Mangalbari property.The supply chain for the banned cough syrup.Possible links to interstate and international smuggling syndicates.Officials said interrogations of the arrested suspects are continuing to identify other members of the network.Zero-Tolerance Against Drug SyndicatesCommenting on the operation, Suvendu Adhikari said the raid had dealt “a massive blow to an interstate and cross-border drug network.”He praised the efforts of Dakshin Dinajpur and Malda police and said that raids would continue across border areas to dismantle illegal trafficking networks.The West Bengal Cross-Border Drug Syndicate case is now being treated as a major India narcotics crime news investigation, with police working to uncover the full extent of the smuggling operation and identify everyone connected to the racket.
