The Bangladesh Coast Guard has arrested 13 people involved in a Myanmar goods smuggling syndicate during an operation in the deep sea north-west of St Martin’s Island.
Authorities also seized 900 sacks of cement intended for smuggling and a fishing boat. Later, a joint operation arrested one of the main ringleaders, Md Azim Ullah (40), from Ukhiya.
The Coast Guard said it launched a special operation on Monday (27 April) at around 4:00am in the deep sea, based on secret information provided by BCG Station St Martin’s.
During the drive, personnel searched a suspicious fishing boat and seized 900 sacks of cement worth around Tk5.5 lakh. They also detained 13 individuals along with the boat used in the smuggling operation.
Later, based on information given by the boat’s master Chan Mia, Coast Guard and RAB-15 (CPC-2) carried out a joint operation at around 5:00pm.
They arrested Md Azim Ullah from the Balu Khali area adjacent to Ukhiya in Cox’s Bazar.
Coast Guard media officer Lieutenant Commander Sabbir Alam Sujan confirmed the matter. He said preliminary interrogation revealed that Azim Ullah had long been involved in smuggling essential goods into Myanmar.
He collected product demands from a Myanmar-based individual named Anwar and, with the help of dishonest boat owners from Chattogram, Sandwip and Hatiya, sent goods to the banned armed group Arakan Army.
He further said Azim Ullah used the same network to bring narcotics, foreign cigarettes and other banned items into Bangladesh in exchange. A review of his mobile phone also revealed illegal financial transactions worth crores of taka.
Lieutenant Commander Sabbir Alam Sujan said operations are continuing to identify and arrest other members of the syndicate. He added that legal action against the arrested individuals is underway.
