While smuggling drugs from Myanmar in exchange for cement, the Bangladesh Coast Guard on Monday seized 750 bags of cement and 2 boats, and arrested 20 smugglers.
Coast Guard media officer Lieutenant Commander Siam-ul-Haq informed this in a press release.
According to the press release, acting on a tip-off, it was learned that a syndicate was planning to smuggle yaba, alcohol, and other drugs from Myanmar to Bangladesh in exchange for cement. Based on this information, at 3:00 AM on Monday, the Coast Guard Outpost in Patenga conducted a special operation in the sea area adjacent to Kattoli Ghat under Halishahar Police Station in Chattogram. During the operation, the Coast Guard seized about 750 bags of cement—worth approximately 375,000 taka—while they were being transferred from a cargo boat to a fishing boat without paying taxes, with the intention of smuggling them to Myanmar. Two boats used in the smuggling and 20 smugglers were detained.
The seized cement, boats, and arrested smugglers are in the process of being handed over to the proper authorities for legal action. The Bangladesh Coast Guard has stated that it will continue such operations in the future to curb illegal smuggling.
