Chattogram:The Coast Guard seized approximately 2,000 kg of scrap iron and 20,000 kg of used battery scrap, allegedly smuggled from Myanmar, during a raid near Patenga Sea Beach. Seven individuals were detained in connection with the incident.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the Coast Guard, acting on a tip-off, stopped and searched a cargo boat on Sunday morning at Patenga. The operation led to the recovery of the smuggled materials.
Coast Guard Media Officer Lt Commander Sabbir Alam Sujan reported that the seized goods have an estimated value of around Tk 33 lakh. Preliminary interrogation of the detainees revealed that the scrap was smuggled into Bangladesh via fishing boats from Myanmar and later transferred to the cargo boat for further transport to the Karnaphuli Channel.
The Coast Guard has confiscated the scrap and the cargo boat, initiating legal proceedings against the seven detained individuals. Lt Commander Sujan emphasized that anti-smuggling operations would continue throughout the area.