Snake venom worth Tk38.57cr seized in Dinajpur, four held
BGB says the venom was being smuggled abroad.
Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has seized around 5.7kg of snake venom worth Tk38.57 crore in Dinajpur and arrested four alleged members of an international smuggling syndicate.
The seizure was made during a joint operation in the Ambari area of Chirirbandar upazila on 13 August, based on intelligence, confirmed BGB yesterday (21 August).
BGB said most snake venom seized in Bangladesh in previous cases had often turned out to be fake. Therefore, the seized substance was sent for laboratory testing before the seizure was publicly disclosed.
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A chemical examination of a sample was conducted at the laboratory of Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University on 19 August, following a court order.
The test confirmed that the sample was snake venom, BGB said.
BGB said a team comprising personnel from Dinajpur Battalion (42 BGB), Rapid Action Battalion-13 and an executive magistrate conducted the operation.
The four detainees are Mohammad Jahangir Alam, 43, son of Mokhlesur Haque of Damur village in Chirirbandar; Mohammad Salauddin Sanju, 41, son of late AKM Shahidul Islam of Chhota Gurgola village in Dinajpur Sadar; Mohammad Anisur Rahman, 55, son of late Abdul Majid of Khetdekhi village in Phulbari; and Ujjal Ali, 54, son of late Mobarak of Krandonhat village in Birampur.
BGB said three glass jars containing around 5.7kg of snake venom were recovered from them, along with a private car, two motorcycles, four mobile phones and six SIM cards.
The total seizure value was estimated at Tk38,57,03,800, according to BGB.
According to BGB, the detainees admitted during preliminary interrogation that they were members of an organised international smuggling syndicate.
They also reportedly told investigators that they had smuggled snake venom to a neighbouring country on previous occasions.
BGB said the recovered venom was also being transported for smuggling abroad.
Following the operation, the four detainees and the seized goods were handed over to Chirirbandar Police Station on 13 August for legal action.
Dinajpur Battalion (42 BGB) Commander Lieutenant Colonel Abdullah Al Moin Hasan said BGB remained vigilant against the smuggling of valuable resources, wildlife products and other illegal goods.
"BGB will continue such operations based on intelligence to prevent smuggling," he said.
He added that the force was also working firmly to curb drugs, human trafficking, arms and other cross-border crimes.
