A joint operation at Maricha BGB checkpost in Ramu upazila resulted in the seizure of 100 bags of urea fertiliser intended for smuggling into Myanmar.
Two individuals were detained, and a mini-truck used for transporting the goods was impounded.
Acting on intelligence provided by National Security Intelligence (NSI), the operation was conducted around 10:30pm on Monday. The joint team comprised members of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), as well as Ramu and Ukhiya upazila administrations.
The detainees have been identified as Md Jahed Hossain, 25, a resident of West Palongkhali in Ukhiya, and the truck driver, Syed Karim, 27. Karim, originally from Naikhongchari in Bandarban, currently resides in Fatekharkul area of Ramu.
BGB sources said they received information regarding a large shipment of urea fertiliser being transported illegally from a warehouse in Ramu’s Choumuhani area towards the Palongkhali border.
Upon intercepting a mini-truck at the Maricha checkpost, officials recovered 100 bags of fertiliser, each weighing 50kg, totalling 5,000kg.
Sushanta Debnath, the Ramu upazila agriculture officer, confirmed that the seized goods were verified on-site. “The fertiliser and the vehicle have been seized following due legal process. Administrative drives will continue to prevent the illegal transport and smuggling of agricultural inputs,” he stated.
Ukhiya Upazila Agriculture Officer Kamnashish Sarkar added that transporting government-subsidised agricultural materials for purposes other than their intended use is a punishable offence under law. He noted that a formal investigation is underway to take necessary legal action against those involved.
Sources indicated that such smuggling attempts disrupt the supply of fertiliser allocated for local farmers and risk the illegal exit of government-subsidised materials across the border.
Consequently, law enforcement agencies have intensified intelligence surveillance and joint operations in border regions.
The seized fertiliser, the vehicle, and the two detainees have been handed over to the Ramu Police Station.
Monirul Islam Bhuiyan, officer-in-charge (OC) of Ramu Police Station, confirmed that a case has been registered under relevant sections of the law pertaining to border smuggling.
