Truck carrying 420 sacks of TSP fertilizer seized in Jhenaidah

BanglaPress Desk: Locals in Jhenaidah intercepted a truck loaded with 420 sacks of TSP fertilizer that was allegedly being smuggled. The truck and its cargo were subsequently taken into police custody. The vehicle was intercepted on Tuesday (November 10) around 7:30 PM near the Jhenaidah Cadet College area on the Jhenaidah-Kushtia highway.

According to eyewitnesses and local sources, the truck, carrying the fertilizer, was traveling from Jhenaidah toward Kushtia. Upon reaching the vicinity of the Cadet College, local residents stopped the vehicle and requested to see the cargo and the accompanying shipment documents. The driver provided inconsistent information and failed to produce any valid documentation or delivery memos for the fertilizer.

As the driver could not provide the necessary legal paperwork, the locals alerted leaders of the district’s Truck, Lorry, Tractor, and Covered Van Workers' Union, as well as local political figures. The district administration and the Department of Agricultural Extension were also informed, and several hours later, the truck was moved to the Arappur transport stand. However, the driver and his assistant managed to flee the scene. Upon receiving the report, officers from the Jhenaidah Sadar Police Station arrived at the location and took the truck and its cargo into custody.

Sajjadul Haque Milon, a Jhenaidah District Jubo Dal leader who was present at the scene, stated that locals had intercepted the truck after receiving information about the suspected smuggling. He noted that the driver could not produce any valid documentation for the fertilizer, presenting only a paper that merely mentioned the quantity of 420 sacks.

Masud Rana, the Agriculture Officer for Jhenaidah Sadar Upazila, stated that the truck was en route from Nawapara in Jashore toward Kushtia. The vehicle and the fertilizer are currently in police custody. If the owner can produce valid documentation for the transport of the fertilizer, the truck will be released; otherwise, legal action will be taken.
Md. Kamruzzaman, Deputy Director of the Jhenaidah District Department of Agricultural Extension, stated that personnel have been dispatched to verify the origin of the fertilizer-laden truck. Once detailed information is obtained, further legal action will be taken in accordance with the rules.

Md. Asaduzzaman, Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Jhenaidah Sadar Police Station, stated that police have been dispatched to the scene.

Sheikh Billal Hossain, Additional Superintendent of Police (Finance and Administration) for the Jhenaidah District Police, said that the Upazila Executive Officer (UNO) and the Agriculture Officer have been tasked with verifying the documentation for the fertilizer being transported in the truck. If, following this verification, the transport of the fertilizer is found to be illegal, strict legal action will be taken.