$51,000 discovered in a farmer’s grass-filled sack in Meherpur

Border patrols in Meherpur have seized $51,000 hidden in a sack of grass on a farmer’s bicycle, suspecting it was being smuggled into India.

Jahangir Sheikh, the rider of the bicycle, was arrested on Friday in the Anandabas border area of Mujibnagar Upazila.

He was sent to jail on Saturday on a court order, officials said.

Lt Col Md Nazmul Hasan, commander of the Chuadanga BGB Battalion-6, said they acted on an intelligence tip-off, intercepting the suspect in Fashitla.

Naik Subedar Harun Or Rashid of the Anandabas BGB camp said guards spotted the man cycling with a grass sack in a restricted area. When he tried to flee, they pursued and apprehended him.

A search revealed five packets of US dollar notes cleverly wrapped in black tape inside the grass. The bicycle and a button-type mobile phone were also seized.

During initial questioning, Jahangir admitted the cash was intended for smuggling into India.

Local UP member Omar Faruk said Jahangir was merely a carrier and might have earned Tk 20,000 for relaying the dollars to the syndicate. He noted that the real owners remain elusive, often protected by influential networks, and cases sometimes fade due to inadequate investigation.

The recovered cash was deposited in the Meherpur Treasury under court orders, and legal proceedings remain ongoing.