Truck carrying 400 bags of potatoes with forged documents seized in West Medinipur

On Monday night, police in West Medinipur intercepted a truck carrying 400 bags of potatoes, hidden under the guise of cattle feed. The vehicle was stopped at Gachhsitala in the Chandrakona police station area after receiving a tip-off about the illegal transport. The truck was reportedly heading toward a destination outside West Bengal.

Upon inspection, authorities discovered the shipment was comprised entirely of potatoes, with forged documents accompanying the cargo. The shipment was found to be in violation of the state’s ban on potato exports, which was enforced to curb the surging prices of potatoes in Bengal. The police have not yet disclosed the final destination of the potatoes but are conducting a thorough investigation to track the route and the individuals involved in the illegal export operation.

This seizure is part of a broader issue of illegal potato transport, as West Bengal has been struggling with smuggling operations in recent months. In previous incidents, police arrested several individuals, including truck drivers and their assistants, for attempting to illegally transport potatoes to neighboring states, including Jharkhand. The state government’s ban on potato exports has been in place for some time, but enforcement has proven challenging as illegal shipments continue to be uncovered.