Dhaka: The Bangladesh Coast Guard (BCG) has successfully intercepted two boats carrying a total of 1,260 sacks, equivalent to 63 tonnes, of cement that were allegedly being smuggled to Myanmar. This operation took place during separate drives in the Patenga and Banshkhali areas of Chattogram, resulting in the arrest of two suspected smugglers.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, BCG Media Officer Lieutenant Commander Sabbir Alam Sujan revealed the details in a press release, where he mentioned that a BCG team executed a special operation at dawn near Bangla Bazar Ghat in the Banshkhali upazila. During this operation, the team inspected a suspicious fishing boat and confiscated 510 sacks, amounting to 25.5 tonnes of cement, valued at approximately Tk 2.80 lakh. However, the suspected smugglers managed to escape during the raid, avoiding arrest.
Earlier on Thursday evening, another significant operation was conducted by the Coast Guard, based on a tip-off, in the outer anchorage area under Patenga Police Station. In this instance, the authorities searched a suspicious cargo boat and seized 750 sacks, or 37.5 tonnes, of cement along with the vessel. This operation successfully led to the arrest of two suspected smugglers.
The Coast Guard has indicated that legal proceedings are currently underway concerning the seized cement, the boats involved in the alleged smuggling activities, and the two individuals who were apprehended.