7 held with smuggled diesel, tar bound for Myanmar

Bangladesh Coast Guard (BCG) has arrested seven smugglers and seized a large quantity of diesel, tar and an illegal artisanal trawling boat during an attempted smuggling operation to Myanmar.

Coast Guard Media Officer Lieutenant Commander Sabbir Alam Sujan confirmed the operation on Sunday afternoon.

He said that acting on a tip-off, a special operation was carried out on Saturday night near ghat no. 14 of Karnaphuli Channel, under the jurisdiction of Patenga Police Station. 

During the operation, a suspicious illegal artisanal trawling boat was intercepted. Authorities seized 1,600 liters of diesel, 3,300 kg of tar and four diesel engines, while seven smugglers were taken into custody for attempting to evade customs and taxes.

Legal action has been initiated against the arrested individuals, the seized goods and the trawling boat used in the smuggling attempt.

Lieutenant Commander Sujan added that the Coast Guard will continue such operations in the future to prevent smuggling. 

The estimated market value of the seized goods is approximately Tk 48 lakh.

AH/SH