Nearly 248 tonnes of subsidised fertiliser seized along Cox’s Bazar, Bandarban border
Despite allocations exceeding farmers’ requirements in Cox’s Bazar, fertiliser shortages persist in parts of the district, with allegations that subsidised fertiliser is being diverted to Myanmar through organised smuggling networks.
Between June and September 20, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and the Coast Guard seized 247,908kg of fertiliser along the Cox’s Bazar and Naikhyangchhari border areas, detaining 127 people, according to official data. Officials and informed sources said this was only a fraction of the total smuggled.
According to the district administration, the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) and intelligence agencies, Cox’s Bazar’s monthly urea demand is 1,843 tonnes against an allocation of 2,343 tonnes, 500 tonnes more than required. Triple super phosphate (TSP) demand and allocation are both 475 tonnes; diammonium phosphate (DAP) 789 tonnes against 889; muriate of potash (MOP) demand is 368 tonnes.
Yet some border-area farmers say they cannot get enough fertiliser. Saifuddin Mobarak of Hoayikong, Teknaf, said repeated visits to dealers failed to secure the required amount, alleging regular smuggling of fertiliser and other goods to Myanmar. Abdul Gafur of Kochubania, Teknaf Sadar, said farmers cultivating larger areas often failed to receive their requirements, alleging some dealers sold fertiliser to non-farmers, after which it was stockpiled and smuggled across the border.
247,908kg seized in three-and-a-half months
Coast Guard data show 3,252 sacks, or 174,600kg, were seized from coastal areas including Teknaf, Saint Martin’s and Kutubdia, with 82 people detained and nine cases filed. BGB seized 50,400kg by 64 BGB, 2,900kg by 11 BGB, 5,000kg by 30 BGB, 700kg by 2 BGB and 14,308kg by 34 BGB, detaining 45 people from Ukhiya and Teknaf and filing cases under the Special Powers Act.
Coast Guard media officer Lt Commander (BN) Sabbir Alam Sujon said most of those detained were labourers. “Based on information obtained during interrogation, we try to include the masterminds in the cases. They are then identified through investigation,” he said.
Teknaf 2 BGB commander Lt Col Ashikur Rahman said those caught red-handed, or identified through intelligence and interrogation, had been made accused. Ukhiya 64 BGB commander Lt Col Mohammad Zahirul Islam said smugglers increasingly turned to waterways after land surveillance intensified. On September 18, Ukhiya residents recovered 102 sacks of fertiliser and handed them to agricultural officials.
Action against dealers
Agricultural officials said smugglers used marginal farmers to collect fertiliser from dealers and stockpile it in coastal areas, before boatmen, border residents or hired workers allegedly took it to Myanmar. Some dealers allegedly colluded.
Ukhiya Upazila Agriculture Officer Kamnashis Sarkar said sacks were being opened during distribution to ease tracking, and around 12 smuggling-related cases had been filed in Ukhiya, including against two dealers.
Cox’s Bazar DAE Deputy Director Dr Bimal Kumar Pramanik said the district received more fertiliser than required. “There is, therefore, no question of a shortage of fertiliser,” he said, adding that action had been recommended against several dealers over irregularities and some Cox’s Bazar dealers had been blacklisted.
Price gap fuels smuggling
Those familiar with the situation said the price gap fuelled smuggling: a 50kg sack of urea costing around Tk1,350 in Bangladesh could fetch about Tk8,000 in Myanmar. Teknaf-based lawyer Shaheen Shah alleged small-time drug traders, some dealers and farmers holding agricultural cards were involved, and that drug and human traffickers were investing in the fertiliser trade.
Security analyst and former Bangladesh consul in Sittwe, retired Major Emdadul Islam, said around five lakh acres were under cultivation in Rakhine State, where fertiliser demand had risen amid supply disruptions by Myanmar’s military government. “With supply limited, prices have increased, and smugglers are taking advantage of the situation,” he said. He added that border guards and law enforcers could seize only a portion.
Awareness needed along border
Teknaf Upazila Agriculture Officer Mohammad Humayun Kabir said stopping smuggling completely would be difficult unless border residents became more aware, adding that drug, arms and human trafficking networks were believed to be involved. Palongkhali Union Parishad chairman M Gafur Uddin Chowdhury also alleged drug smugglers were involved through cross-border exchanges of goods.
Ukhiya-Teknaf lawmaker Shahjahan Chowdhury said a syndicate was smuggling fertiliser to Myanmar and urged party leaders and border residents to stay vigilant. He noted local youths had recovered fertiliser and handed it to the administration, saying greater awareness among border communities could significantly reduce smuggling.
By Tarekur Rahman
Photo: Courtesy
