The Coast Guard has seized illegal shrimp fry valued at approximately Tk2.48 crore in two separate operations in Munshiganj and Narayanganj, officials said on Wednesday.
Based on a tip, Coast Guard Composite Station Padma conducted a special operation from 3:30am to 7am in the area adjacent to the Padma Bridge Toll Plaza under Padma North Police Station in Munshiganj, said Coast Guard Media Officer Lieutenant Commander Sabbir Alam Shujon.
During the operation, authorities seized 8,12,000 pieces of illegal shrimp fry worth approximately Tk40.60 lakh after searching a suspicious mini pickup in the area.
In a separate drive on the same day, Coast Guard Station Pagla conducted an operation from 7:30 am to 9:00 am near Kanchpur Bridge in Narayanganj. Two microbuses traveling from Cumilla to Satkhira were searched, leading to the seizure of 41,50,000 pieces of illegal shrimp fry valued at approximately Tk2.07 crore.
The seized shrimp fry were later released into the Padma and Meghna rivers respectively in the presence of relevant fisheries officials, the Coast Guard officer added.
The pickup and microbus drivers and helpers were released with their vehicles after signing bonds.
The Coast Guard will continue such operations in the future to protect fisheries resources, Lieutenant Commander Sabbir Alam Shujan further said.
