A Bangladesh Coast Guard team has arrested 18 suspected smugglers and seized a large consignment of cement and diesel in two separate operations off Saint Martin’s Island, while the goods were being trafficked to Myanmar.
Coast Guard media officer Lieutenant Commander Siam-ul-Haq confirmed the matter on Sunday morning.
He said acting on intelligence, the Coast Guard ship Apurbo Bangla conducted a special operation in the south-western maritime area adjacent to Saint Martin’s at around 10pm on Friday.
During the drive, the team searched a suspicious fishing boat and detained 11 Bangladeshi suspected along with 600 bags of cement worth around Tk 300,000, which were being carried illegally to Myanmar by evading customs duties.
In a separate operation, the same ship conducted another search at around 2am on Saturday, in the same south-western maritime zone.
The Coast Guard intercepted a Myanmar fishing boat and arrested seven Myanmar nationals along with 1,500 litres of diesel worth approximately Tk 180,000, also intended for illegal trafficking after evading taxes.
The detainees have been handed over to Teknaf Model Police Station, while legal proceedings are underway regarding the seized goods and the two boats used in the smuggling operations.
Lieutenant Commander added that the Coast Guard will continue such operations in the future to prevent smuggling and cross-border trafficking.
