The Bangladesh Navy has apprehended 11 smugglers along with a boat while attempting to smuggle goods into Myanmar, the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said on Sunday.
According to the ISPR, naval ship “Samudra Avijan” was carrying out a routine patrol in the Bay of Bengal when it spotted a wooden boat around 10 nautical miles southwest of Chera Dwip, within Bangladesh waters. As the navy approached, the smugglers tried to flee, but the vessel chased and captured them along with the boat, identified as FB Ahmad Ullah Maizbhandari-1.
A subsequent search of the boat recovered a large cache of goods, including 15,000kgs of potatoes, 750kgs of garlic, 2,500kgs of flour, 2,500kgs of lentils, 14,400 bottles of soft drinks (Tiger/Speed), 600 gas lighters, 800 shaving blades, three mobile phones, one binocular, one compass, and 400 feet of fishing net.
ISPR added that the navy conducts regular patrols in deep sea and coastal areas to prevent terrorism, smuggling, and other criminal activities. The detained smugglers, along with the boat and seized goods, have been handed over to Teknaf Police Station for further legal action.
