Durgapur Police seize stolen iron worth ₹5 lakh, two arrested in smuggling operation

On Tuesday night, Durgapur police seized several tons of stolen iron worth over ₹5 lakh after intercepting a pickup van near the ITI crossing in Durgapur. The vehicle, which was carrying iron angles, was stopped by the Bidhannagar Outpost police following a tip-off. Upon inspection, the police found the iron to be stolen from a now-closed steel factory in the region. The total value of the seized iron was estimated to be more than ₹5 lakh.

The police detained two individuals in the van, identified as Sagar Akure and Mohammad Raja Khan. Both suspects were questioned at the scene, and inconsistencies in their statements led to their arrest. According to police sources, the two men confessed to being part of a long-running smuggling operation involving stolen iron. They reportedly admitted to transporting stolen goods from various locations over an extended period.

The investigation has revealed that the stolen iron was being smuggled through the region, though police are yet to confirm the exact extent of the smuggling network. Authorities are investigating the possibility that the operation is part of a larger interstate smuggling ring. Further inquiries are underway to determine the full scope of the criminal operation and its connections to other illegal activities. The two arrested suspects will be presented in the Durgapur Sub-Divisional Court, where the police will request their remand for further investigation.