Bangladesh Coast Guard arrests 13 smugglers with Tk 1.63 million contraband

Bangladesh Coast Guard has arrested 13 smugglers with goods valued at nearly Tk 1.63 million. The seized contraband included 430 sacks of urea fertilizer and 600 sacks of potatoes, illicitly brought in from Myanmar's Rakhine State, confirmed Lieutenant Commander Harun-ur-Rashid, Media Officer of the Coast Guard.

Acting on secret intelligence, the Coast Guard Base at Patenga Outer Harbour in Chattogram launched a special operation on Wednesday, 25 June 2025, at 5 p.m. The search team inspected two suspicious engine-powered wooden boats navigating the area and successfully detained the smugglers. In addition to the fertilizer and potatoes, 40 litres of lubricating oil and 2 Hamco batteries were also seized—items unlawfully smuggled to evade customs duties.

The confiscated goods, detainees, and vessels have been handed over to the Sadarghat River Police for further legal action.

Lieutenant Commander Harun-ur-Rashid stated that the Bangladesh Coast Guard maintains vigilant 24-hour patrols to uphold law and order in coastal and riverbank regions. These efforts have notably strengthened security and curtailed smuggling activities under the Coast Guard's watch. The agency remains steadfast in its resolve to conduct such operations consistently, safeguarding the nation's borders and economic integrity.