RAUTAHAT: Armed Police Force (APF) of Nepal based in Rautahat, has seized contraband goods being smuggled in the district across the Nepal-India border. The goods have been seized from an area along the 26-kilometre border region in the wee hours of Tuesday.

The APF Office based in Rautahat busted the smugglers after round-the-clock mobilisation of security personnel in the border areas.

Acting on a tip-off, a team deployed from APF's Bankul-based Border Outpost Office under the command of Inspector Govinda Pokharel, intercepted and took under control three motorcycles laden with contraband goods being carried from India to Sonarniya in Maulapur Municipality of Rautahat district via Kocharwa and Paterwa of Bara district at 4:15 am today.

The APF Office on Tuesday morning made public the seized contraband textiles being smuggled on the motorcycles (BR29M 1759, BR05M 3127 and BR05M2030).

APF Deputy Superintendent of Police Prem Raj Pokharel said that the team had to wait whole night to nab the smugglers; however, one of the motorcycles fled the scene at the sight of the law enforcers.

Police have seized goods worth around Rs 500,000 in value, including textiles worth Rs 350,000 and the motorcycles worth Rs 150,000.

A source claimed that the smugglers had been using the Bara route after the border security personnel from both Indian and Nepali sides had heightened the patrol in the areas.

Previously, APF Inspector Sundar Shrestha working at the Bankul Office was transferred to the Pathalaiya-based Rudra Bahini Camp after he was accused of assisting in the smuggling of goods.

It has been reported that the smuggling has been brought under control after Pokharel replaced Shrestha. Inspector Pokharel has already seized contraband goods worth more than Rs 600,000.