In a major joint operation, the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) along with local police seized a large cache of illegal firearms and arrested a woman in Ashoknagar, North 24 Parganas, on Sunday morning.
The operation was carried out at the busy No. 8 junction on the Naihati–Ashoknagar road following specific intelligence inputs. Acting on the tip-off, officers intercepted a suspicious four-wheeler ‘Magic’ vehicle and detained a woman identified as Pooja Biswas. The sudden action by investigators created a stir in the area.
During the search, officials recovered a significant quantity of weapons and ammunition from a bag in her possession. According to police sources, the haul included four 7mm pistols, two 9mm pistols, 12 magazines, and around 200 rounds of live cartridges. In addition, Rs 12,000 and two mobile phones were also seized.
The accused, a resident of Ward No. 12 under Habra Municipality, was arrested on the spot and all recovered items were confiscated.
Preliminary investigations suggest that the woman may have been acting as a carrier, with a larger network involved in the smuggling operation. A train ticket recovered from her possession has led investigators to suspect an inter-state arms trafficking link.
Officials believe the weapons may have been sourced from Munger, a district in Bihar known for illegal arms manufacturing. Investigators suspect the consignment was transported by train into West Bengal with the intention of being distributed in Habra and nearby areas.
However, the identities of the intended buyers and the full extent of the network remain unclear. The CID has begun intensive interrogation of the accused to trace the masterminds and identify other members of the suspected inter-state smuggling racket.
Also read: ED probes ₹164-crore mismatch in TMC-linked bank accounts
Follow us
