Joint operation by Navy and Coast Guard: 33 smugglers arrested with cement and 3 boats while smuggling in Myanmar

Photo: CNI

Cox’s Bazar Correspondent: A total of 33 smugglers were arrested along with 2,400 sacks of cement and three boats while attempting to smuggle the goods into Myanmar.

The arrests were made during a joint operation conducted by the Bangladesh Navy and the Bangladesh Coast Guard on Saturday, May 16.

On Sunday morning (May 17), Coast Guard Media Officer Lieutenant Commander Sabbir Alam Sujan confirmed the matter.

He said that based on secret information, a daylong joint operation was carried out in the southwestern sea area adjacent to Saint Martin's Island by Coast Guard Outpost Shahpori, Coast Guard Station Saint Martin, and the Bangladesh Navy.

During the operation, authorities searched three suspicious fishing boats in the area and seized 2,400 sacks of cement that were allegedly being transported illegally to Myanmar without paying customs duties. Three boats used in the smuggling operation were also confiscated, and 33 smugglers were arrested.

The estimated value of the recovered cement and boats is around 1.68 million taka.

The arrested individuals include residents from several districts, including Bhola, Lakshmipur, Chattogram, Cumilla, Sylhet, and Cox’s Bazar.

According to Shahpori Station Commander Lieutenant Muttakin Siddiq (EX), BN, the detained smugglers had loaded the cement onto the three fishing boats from different areas of Hatiya and Sandwip and were heading toward Myanmar to supply the goods to a banned group there.

He further stated that intelligence activities have been intensified to identify and arrest the masterminds behind such smuggling operations, while coordination with other law enforcement agencies has also been strengthened.

Lieutenant Commander Sabbir Alam Sujan added that legal procedures regarding the seized cement, boats, and arrested smugglers are currently underway.