Coast Guard intercepts two boats, arrests 19 in coral island operation
The Coast Guard has arrested 19 individuals and seized a large consignment of cement and other daily essentials allegedly being smuggled to Myanmar.
Coast Guard Media Officer Lieutenant Commander Sabbir Alam Sujan disclosed the information at around noon on Thursday, 26 February 2026.
He stated that a special operation was carried out at around 2:00am on Thursday in the sea area southeast of St Martin's Island, acting on confidential information. The operation was conducted by the Coast Guard vessel Apurba Bangla, deployed under Operation Coral Island.
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During the operation, Coast Guard personnel searched two suspicious fishing boats and detained 19 individuals. They also seized 1,140 sacks of cement valued at approximately Tk11 lakh, five sacks of garlic, 50 sacks of chickpeas, 20 sacks of potatoes, 7,080 cans of Royal Tiger energy drink, and two fishing boats used in the alleged smuggling.
Legal proceedings regarding the seized goods, boats, and detainees are underway, he stated.
The Coast Guard will continue operations to prevent smuggling, the officer added.
