Bahraich (UP), Apr 4 (PTI) A vehicle carrying over 1,500 bottles of soft drinks failed to produce the required Customs documents along the India-Nepal border in Bahraich, while air conditioners being "smuggled" into Nepal were seized during inspection, Sashastra Seema Bal said on Saturday.

The troops recovered 1,575 bottles (each of 2.25 litres) of soft drinks, two ACs and two bicycles in two separate operations, it said.

Deputy Commandant of the 42nd Battalion of the SSB Dilip Kumar said that on Thursday night, during a routine inspection at the BIT check post in Rupaidiha, a pick-up vehicle heading towards Nepal was signalled to stop.

However, breaking through the barricade, the driver attempted to flee. The troops managed to intercept the vehicle and recovered 1,575 bottles (each of 2.25 litres) of soft drinks.

The driver was unable to produce valid customs documents, they said, adding that during interrogation, he identified the goods as belonging to Pintu Pradhan.

The SSB seized the vehicle along with the merchandise and handed it over to the Customs Office in Nanpara, an official said.

On the same day, near Border Pillar Number 656, an SSB patrol team intercepted and recovered two LG-brand split air conditioners that were being smuggled into Nepal on bicycles, the officer said.

The SSB apprehended one smuggler, Munnu, a resident of Nanpara, at the scene, while the other managed to escape. The two recovered air conditioners and two bicycles have been handed over to the Customs Department, officials said. PTI COR NAV SHS SHS SHS

Customs enforcement along the India-Nepal border led to seizure of undocumented soft drinks and air conditioners. Customs enforcement along the India-Nepal border led to seizure of soft drinks and air conditioners being moved without valid customs documents. A vehicle carrying 1,575 bottles of soft drinks was intercepted after the driver tried to flee, while two split air conditioners transported on bicycles were also recovered in a separate patrol operation. The goods, vehicle and bicycles were handed over to the Customs Department.