Murshidabad heroin bust: STF arrests two, seizes nearly 1 kg near Bangladesh border
Synopsis
West Bengal's STF has arrested a 60-year-old woman and a man from Lalgola, Murshidabad, with nearly 1 kg of heroin — the latest in a string of major drug busts in the state. The arrests near the India-Bangladesh border point to an active trafficking corridor that investigators are now working to dismantle.
Key Takeaways
The West Bengal STF arrested Sadhana Haldar (60) and Taibur Rahman in Murshidabad on 2 September .
Nearly 1 kg of heroin was seized from their possession during a raid in the Jotkamal area .
Both accused are from Lalgola , Murshidabad — a district bordering Bangladesh .
A case has been registered under the NDPS Act, 1985 ; police are seeking custody for further interrogation.
The arrest follows a series of drug busts in Bengal, including a ₹10 lakh cocaine haul in Kolkata and the arrest of two Thai nationals for ecstasy possession in July .
The Special Task Force (STF) of the West Bengal Police on Wednesday, 2 September arrested two individuals — including a 60-year-old woman — and seized nearly 1 kg of heroin during a targeted operation in the Jotkamal area under Raghunathganj Police Station in Murshidabad district. The arrests underscore growing law-enforcement concern over drug trafficking along the India-Bangladesh border corridor.
Who Was Arrested
The two accused have been identified as Sadhana Haldar, aged 60, and Taibur Rahman. Both reportedly hail from the Lalgola area of Murshidabad — a region that shares a porous border with Bangladesh and has previously been flagged by authorities as a key transit point for contraband.
How the Operation Unfolded
Acting on a tip-off, STF personnel conducted a raid and recovered the heroin directly from the possession of the two accused. A case has been registered against them under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985. Both were produced before a court on Wednesday, and police indicated they would seek custody for further interrogation.
'Two persons, including a woman, have been arrested on charges of possessing heroin. They will be interrogated to know more about the drug trafficking ring in the district and especially in the India-Bangladesh border area. Efforts are on to find out who else is involved in this. Investigation is on,' a senior officer of the West Bengal Police said.
Broader Pattern of Drug Seizures in Bengal
This arrest is part of a wider crackdown on narcotics that has gathered pace in West Bengal in recent months. In July, the Kolkata Police recovered 104 grams of cocaine — valued at over ₹10 lakh — from the Karaya area of Kolkata and arrested three traffickers: Azaharuddin Khan, Mohammad Ashfaq, and Latafat Khan. Authorities noted that a significant volume of foreign drugs was being smuggled into the city to supply rave parties, with cocaine reportedly in high demand.
Also in July, two Thai nationals from Bangkok were arrested in the Bhowanipore area of south Kolkata for allegedly possessing ecstasy. The women had reportedly entered India posing as tourists, but investigators suspected a smuggling motive.
What Investigators Are Pursuing
The current probe is focused on tracing the source of the seized heroin and identifying other members of the alleged trafficking network. Murshidabad's proximity to the Bangladesh border makes it a strategically significant point of interest for narcotics investigators. The STF is expected to use the custody period to map supply chains and potential handlers beyond the two arrested.
Further developments are anticipated as the investigation progresses and police custody is formally sought.
Point of View
Straddling the Padma river and the Bangladesh frontier, makes it structurally vulnerable to cross-border smuggling. What is notable here is the profile of one of the accused: a 60-year-old woman, which suggests traffickers are deliberately using low-profile carriers to evade scrutiny. The STF's focus on tracing the supply chain beyond the two arrested will be the real test of this operation's value — seizures matter less than network dismantlement.
NationPress
2 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who was arrested in the Murshidabad heroin bust?
The two arrested individuals are Sadhana Haldar, a 60-year-old woman, and Taibur Rahman, both residents of the Lalgola area in Murshidabad district. They were apprehended by the West Bengal STF during a raid in the Jotkamal area on 2 September.
How much heroin was seized in the Murshidabad operation?
Nearly 1 kg of heroin was recovered from the possession of the two accused during the STF raid. The contraband was seized based on a tip-off received by the Special Task Force.
What charges have been filed against the accused?
A case has been registered against Sadhana Haldar and Taibur Rahman under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985. Both were produced before a court on Wednesday, and police plan to seek custody for further questioning.
Why is Murshidabad significant in the context of drug trafficking?
Murshidabad shares a border with Bangladesh and has been identified by authorities as a key transit corridor for narcotics. The Lalgola area in particular is located near the Padma river boundary, making it susceptible to cross-border smuggling activity.
What other drug busts have occurred in West Bengal recently?
In July, Kolkata Police seized 104 grams of cocaine worth over ₹10 lakh from the Karaya area and arrested three traffickers. Also in July, two Thai women were arrested in Bhowanipore, south Kolkata, for allegedly possessing ecstasy while posing as tourists.
