Coast Guard arrests nine, seizes cement in st martin’s anti-smuggling drive
The Bangladesh Coast Guard has arrested nine alleged smugglers and seized 450 bags of cement during an operation near Cheradia, St Martin's Island, on Monday.
Coast Guard Media Officer Lieutenant Commander Siam-ul-Haq provided the information at noon on 24 November, 2025.
He said the Coast Guard conducted the operation after receiving intelligence that a gang was preparing to smuggle yaba, alcohol and other narcotics from Myanmar to Bangladesh in exchange for Bangladeshi goods. Acting on the information, Coast Guard ship Kamruzzaman carried out a special operation in the sea area southeast of Cheradia at around 9am.
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A suspicious fishing trawler was searched, leading to the arrest of nine individuals and the recovery of 450 bags of cement, worth about Tk2.47 lakh, allegedly being transported to Myanmar while evading customs duties and taxes.
Legal action regarding the seized boat, evidence and detained suspects is under way.
The Coast Guard will continue such operations to curb smuggling, Siam-ul-Haq added.
