In a significant development, West Bengal Police have captured over 3.3 kg of brown sugar, valued at several crores, from a vehicle adorned with stickers of the Border Security Force (BSF). The operation occurred at a checkpoint in Darjeeling district, following intelligence received by officers from the Bidhannagar Investigation Centre regarding a suspicious car entering West Bengal from Bihar on Sunday.

Allegations of Forged Credentials

The vehicle caught the attention of the police due to its prominent BSF insignia and an altered number plate. Upon further inspection, officers discovered a concealed compartment situated behind the number plate, where numerous packets of brown sugar were found. The driver, identified as Alok Kumar Ravikar, hailing from Katihar in Bihar, initially presented himself as a serving BSF inspector based in Chhattisgarh, claiming he was on medical leave. To bolster his assertion, he displayed an identity card.

Criminal Background Revealed

However, verification processes soon revealed that Ravikar was a former BSF member with a criminal history. Investigators disclosed that he had previously been apprehended in March 2023 in Kishanganj district, Bihar, in connection with an illegal liquor smuggling case, where he allegedly employed BSF credentials to bypass security checks. Police are now scrutinizing his current identification documents to ascertain whether they are fabricated or traceable to an earlier service period before his dismissal.

Broader Trafficking Network Under Investigation

Authorities suspect that the confiscated drugs were transported from Bihar to Siliguri, prompting an investigation into the wider trafficking network associated with the shipment, focusing on suppliers and intended recipients. Ravikar was presented before the sub-divisional court in Siliguri on Monday, where police sought custody for prolonged interrogation to unravel the supply chain. Officials are keen to determine if the misuse of official insignia and vehicle markings was systematic, enabling the transportation of narcotics across state and border checkpoints.

Concerns Over Misuse of Security Forces’ Identifiers

This incident raises significant concerns regarding the potential misuse of identity associated with security forces within organized narcotics trafficking along the eastern corridor. Law enforcement agencies are now compelled to evaluate the implications of such breaches of security protocols, particularly regarding the increasing sophistication of drug smuggling methods in the region.

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