Despite strict vigilance by the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), smuggling continues unabated along the 285-kilometre border spanning four districts under BGB’s Kushtia sector.

This border, encompassing Kushtia, Jhenaidah, Chuadanga and Meherpur, has turned into a hotspot for smugglers, aided by various factors including geographical challenges like rivers and protection from local political leaders and public representatives.

Recent statistics indicate that smuggled goods worth hundreds of crores of taka are transported across this border every month, posing a significant challenge to law enforcement.

Over the past 10 months, the BGB seized goods worth approximately Tk278.7 crore in various operations under this sector, according to Col Md Maruful Abedin, deputy director and commander of the BGB’s Kushtia Sector.

ColAbedin highlighted that Kushtia Sector (47 BGB) and its subordinate battalions, including Maheshpur Battalion (58 BGB) in Jhenaidah and Chuadanga Battalion (6 BGB) with 62 Border Observation Posts (BOPs), were actively involved in these operations.

The Kushtia sector team alone seized drugs worth approximately Tk160 crore, while the remaining goods were recovered by the other battalions, this official stated.

Sources within the border region indicate that the existing structure of BGB’s three battalions is inadequate to secure the extensive 300-kilometre border, much of which remains open, facilitating smuggling.

With over 40 smuggling routes and more than 100 active rackets, a variety of items including rice, pulses, potatoes, onions, garments, cosmetics, tea leaves, coal, mobile displays, spices, vehicles, and livestock are regularly smuggled into Bangladesh from India.

Moreover, drugs such as yaba tablets, crystal meth (ice), heroin, Phensedyl, foreign liquor, beer, marijuana, and other addictive tablets and injections are smuggled into the country.

Additionally, weapons like pistols, rifles, grenades, and bullets find their way across the border.

On the outbound side, items such as gold, silver, snake venom, and hilsa fish are trafficked from Bangladesh to India.

Nazrul Islam, executive director of the Kushtia-based NGO Rabindra Sangshad, highlighted that a segment of the border population in Kushtia’s Daulatpur upazila adopted smuggling as their primary livelihood, attracted by high profits despite significant risks.

According to him, local political figures and influential individuals, many of whom are linked to smuggling, provide protection to these illegal activities.

Nazrul pointed out that financial incentives and the promise of quick profits have drawn many border residents into smuggling, posing a major challenge to law enforcement efforts.

While law enforcement agencies occasionally arrest smugglers, some sources claim that cases are often compromised, resulting in the release of offenders while their goods are confiscated.

Rafiqul Islam, a lawyer at the Kushtia District Judge Court and resident of Daulatpur upazila, noted that he handles approximately one hundred smuggling-related cases.

Shariful Islam, a journalist based in Daulatpur, explained that smuggling in Kushtia predominantly takes place in areas along the River Padma and the Indian border, where open river routes are difficult for the BGB to monitor.

BGB officials acknowledge that despite establishing BOPs every 2-3 kilometers along the border, smugglers exploit remote routes to bypass the law enforcers.

BGB Commander Col Abedin affirmed that a zero-tolerance policy is being enforced against smuggling and that violators would face strict consequences.

He emphasised the need for improved security infrastructure, more frequent patrols, and greater public awareness of the detrimental effects of smuggling on society and national security.