The Coast Guard arrested 12 alleged smugglers and seized 37.5 tonnes of cement while intercepting a boat bound for Myanmar in the deep sea off Saint Martin’s Island in Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar, early Monday.
The seized cement was valued at around Tk 3.75 lakh, the Coast Guard said.
Coast Guard media officer Lieutenant Commander Sabbir Alam Suzan disclosed the information on Monday afternoon.
He said a special anti-smuggling operation was conducted around 3:00 am on November 2 in the northwestern deep-sea area of Saint Martin’s Island, involving a Coast Guard ship deployed under Operation Sar Surakkha and Station Saint Martin’s.
Acting on a tip-off, the team signaled a suspicious boat to stop, but its crew ignored the signal and attempted to flee. The Coast Guard team chased the boat and intercepted it in the deep sea.
A search of the boat led to the recovery of 37,500kg of cement allegedly being smuggled to Myanmar. The Coast Guard also seized the boat used in the operation and arrested 12 people.
Legal proceedings against the arrested individuals and further action on the seized cement and boat are underway, the media officer said.
He added that the Coast Guard would continue such operations to prevent smuggling.
Cox’s Bazar Life Report
Photo: Courtesy
