Rajganj, 30th November: The Siliguri Special Task Force (STF) apprehended four individuals attempting to smuggle a large quantity of cannabis using a secret chamber in a pickup van. The accused, identified as Mausam Sarkar, Hablu Hussain, Rafiqul Mian, and Uttam Chandra Narayan, all hail from Cooch Behar district.
The operation took place on Saturday morning near the Fatapukur toll plaza on the Siliguri-Jalpaiguri National Highway. Acting on a tip-off, the STF intercepted a pickup van suspected of transporting cannabis from Cooch Behar to Siliguri. Alongside the van, another four-wheeler passenger vehicle, believed to be accompanying the smuggling operation, was also stopped.
During the search, authorities discovered 22 packets of cannabis weighing approximately 151 kg hidden inside a secret chamber within the pickup van. Both vehicles were seized, and the four accused were immediately taken into custody.
The arrested individuals are set to be produced in court on Sunday. Meanwhile, the STF has launched a detailed investigation to uncover further links and details regarding the smuggling operation.