Every time when the police reports about the smuggled goods, it is categorized under the 'unattended' list. Staff at the customs office allege that the police actually let the smugglers go.
"Smugglers feed them some amount and they are set free," said a customs staff requesting anonymity.
The security forces have handed over smuggled goods worth Rs 2.6 million to the customs office in the last four months. The recovered goods include blankets, bed sheets and other clothes, cosmetics, readymade wears, fertilizers, edible oil and slippers, among other things.
According to Bhitamod Customs Office, a smuggler called Ranjit Mandal of Naini village, Jaleshwar was freed on bail amount of Rs 79,000 recently. Acting chief of the office, Pramod Kumar Das, stated that the police hardly come with smugglers. Instead, they only bring 'smuggled and unattended goods' to the office.
Staff at the customs office said that the smugglers actually give 'monthly payment' to the security forces. "It is with the support of the police that huge amount of smuggled goods enter the country through Matihani, Samsi, Bhithamod, Bathnaha, Khairbanni, Katiktaiya and Raghunapur, among other border points," said a staff.
Meanwhile, Armed Police Force argued that smugglers just flee away as soon as they sense police around, which is the reason why they can recover just the smuggled goods.
On the other hand, crusher industries noticeably smuggle sand and stones worth millions of rupees to India on a daily basis. This is going unabated since long. Locals in Mahottrai said that the smugglers' business has thrived due to the Madhes agitation. "As there has been strike since long time, it is much easier for the smugglers to carry out their activities. Front leaders, local police and everyone else facilitate the smugglers. They are making lots of money these days," said Shailendra Mandal of Matihai.
Related story
Smugglers have a ball in Birgunj: Smuggled goods enter Nepal in...
-1200x560-1773818828.webp)
-1773673205.webp)
