Police officers suspected that the money was to be used during elections as flags, posters and other material belonging to the Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) were also found in the vehicle.
"The detained persons are claiming to be cigarette traders and are saying the money was collected from other retailers. We are verifying it. An FIR has been registered and the money has been seized," said Katihar Sub-divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Vinod Kumar.
Incidentally, NCP general secretary and incumbent Union Minister of State for Agriculture Tariq Anwar is contesting from the Katihar parliamentary constituency, where the polls would be held on April 24.