Feni:The paramilitary force Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has seized drugs and smuggled goods valued at Taka 957.13 crore during separate operations conducted by 13 battalions under its Sarail Region from January to October 15 this year.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Lieutenant Colonel Hasibul Islam, the commanding officer of the BGB-4 Feni Battalion, reported that the border force confiscated a significant amount of narcotics, foreign liquor, firearms, ammunition, and explosives. The operations also targeted the illegal extraction of stone and sand.
Lt Col Hasibul Islam detailed that 211 border outposts (BOPs) under 13 battalions across four sectors of the Sarail Region have been maintaining constant surveillance and patrols along nearly 1,204 kilometers of the border. During this period, BGB personnel recovered 11 pistols, seven air guns, five pipe guns, 62 rounds of ammunition, 19 kilograms of high explosives, 117 detonators, and 77 meters of detonator wire.
In anti-narcotics operations, the force seized 340,815 pieces of yaba tablets, 14,967 kilograms of cannabis, 63,755 bottles of foreign liquor, 16,680 bottles of phensedyl and cough syrup, and 432,510 tablets of various narcotic drugs. A total of 333 individuals were arrested, and legal action was initiated against them.
Additionally, the BGB seized 16,800 cubic feet of stone and 8,200 cubic feet of sand during operations against illegal resource extraction. Concerning security for the upcoming Sharadiya Durga Puja, Lt Col Hasibul stated that security measures had been intensified in areas under the Feni Battalion. Five BGB platoons have been deployed from October 16 to 22, with a base camp set up at Parshuram Box Mahmood High School.