BSF seizes red sanders worth lakhs near Bangladesh border

The Border Security Force (BSF) on Sunday seized red sanders wood worth Rs.12 lakh from near the Bangladesh border in West Bengal's Nadia district.

The seizure was made by BSF troopers of 1st battalion under Madhupur border outpost in the district.

"A BSF patrol team intercepted a gang of six smugglers near the border fence. Though they fled under the cover of darkness and fog, we seized about 120 kg red sanders worth Rs.12 lakh they were carrying," said a BSF officer.

Believed to have aphrodisiac qualities, red sanders is rare and valued item for traditional medicines and woodcraft across China, Myanmar, Japan and East Asia.