The Bangladesh Coast Guard has seized two cargo boats carrying 1,260 sacks, amounting to 63 tonnes, of cement allegedly intended for smuggling to Myanmar, following separate raids in Patenga and Banshkhali, Chattogram.
According to the Coast Guard, the seized cement is estimated to be worth around Tk 6.55 lakh.
Two suspected smugglers were detained during the operation in Patenga.
However, no arrests were made in Banshkhali as those involved in the alleged smuggling operation fled after sensing the approach of Coast Guard personnel.
Coast Guard Media Officer Lieutenant Commander Sabbir Alam Sujon confirmed the details on Friday.
The Coast Guard reported that a team from Coast Guard Outpost Patenga conducted a raid based on an intelligence tip-off in the outer anchorage area under Patenga Police Station on Thursday evening.
During the operation, officers searched a suspicious cargo boat and recovered 750 sacks of cement weighing 37.5 tonnes, with an estimated market value of Tk 3.75 lakh.
Two individuals allegedly involved in the smuggling attempt were detained, and the vessel was impounded.
In a subsequent operation early on Friday, members of the Coast Guard Banshkhali contingent launched a raid near the Banglabazar Ghat area under Banshkhali Police Station at around 3.00 am.
Officers searched a suspicious fishing boat and seized 510 sacks of cement weighing 25.5 tonnes, valued at an estimated Tk 2.80 lakh, along with the vessel.
The suspected smugglers on board managed to escape upon noticing the Coast Guard’s arrival.
Lieutenant Commander Sabbir Alam Sujon stated that preliminary investigations suggest the cement was being transported for smuggling into Myanmar.
He added that legal proceedings are currently underway regarding the seized contraband, the impounded vessels, and the detained suspects.
