RPF HOWRAH SEIZES FOREIGN CURRENCY WORTH OVER ₹2.6 CRORE UNDER OPERATION SATARK

In a major breakthrough against illegal transportation of contraband items and criminal activities, the Railway Protection Force (RPF) conducted a successful raid at Howrah Railway Station, leading to the seizure of foreign currency worth over ₹2.6 crore on 22.02.2025.

Acting on intelligence inputs, a special operation was carried out by a team comprising ASI Ajay Turi and Constable Supriyo Jash of RPF/CIB/Howrah, along with D. Mandal of RPF Howrah Post, under the supervision of Sri Ravi Yadav, IPF/CIB/Howrah.

During the operation, RPF personnel closely monitored Train No. 12024 DN (Patna-Howrah Jan Shatabdi Express), which arrived at Howrah Railway Station at approximately 13:35 hrs. During surveillance, Constable Supriyo Jash noticed a suspicious individual carrying a backpack and moving towards Platform No. 08. The team followed and detained the individual for questioning.

A licensed coolie, Jay Prakash Ray, was called as an independent witness. Upon searching the suspect?s backpack, USD 2,89,000, Saudi Riyal 52,500 and Singapore Dollars 600 foreign currencies were recovered. The total value of the recovered foreign currency in Indian rupees is estimated to be ₹2,60,99,900/- (Two Crore Sixty Lakh Ninety-Nine Thousand Nine Hundred Only).

The detained individual identified himself as Hemant Kumar Pandey (50), S/o Late Ramsamjh Pandey, a resident of Bansgaon, Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh. Upon questioning, he failed to provide any valid documentation or legal authorization for carrying such a large amount of foreign currency. Initially, he attempted to mislead the officials but later admitted that he was transporting the cash from Gorakhpur to Park Street, Kolkata.

As per directives from the competent authorities, the matter was immediately reported to the Customs P&I Branch, Custom House, Kolkata, and the IC/GRPS/Howrah for further legal proceedings. After completing all necessary legal formalities, the seized foreign currency and the detained individual were handed over to the Inspector of Customs, P&I Branch, Custom House, Kolkata for further investigation.

Eastern Railway, through its vigilant RPF personnel, remains committed to curbing illegal activities and ensuring security across its network. Such operations reinforce its dedication to maintaining the integrity and safety of railway premises.