Three lakh lobsters rescued in Kaukhali, 7 detained

Pirojpur Correspondent: The Coast Guard has recovered three lakh lobster renu minnow while smuggling it from the Sandhya river in Kaukhali of Pirojpur. The smugglers were taking nine drums of Renupona to Bagerhat in a speedboat on Tuesday morning. Meanwhile, the Coast Guard arrested seven people involved in Renu trafficking. The arrested are Mohammad Ali, a speedboat driver from Mehendiganj in Barisal, Yusuf Ali, a fisherman, Ripon Mia, Kamrul Hossain, Alamgir Hossain, Kamal Hossain, and Rajib.

According to the Kaukhali Fisheries Department, Renupona, which was stored in nine drums in a speedboat on Tuesday morning, was to be taken by boat from Mehendiganj in Barisal to Bagerhat. At the time Kaukhali Coastpard's Contingent Commander. Coastguard members led by Nowshera Ali chased and detained the Coastguard speedboat in the evening river. At that time, seven people involved in Renu trafficking were arrested. The amount of minnow stored in nine plastic drums is three lakh.

Later, in the presence of Kaukhali Upazila Nirbahi Officer Khaleda Khatun Rekha, the seized minnow was released into the river in the evening. Kaukhali Upazila Fisheries Officer Phanibhushan Pal said the value of the seized minnow was Tk 6.5 lakh. The seven detainees have been handed over to the mobile court. The court's executive magistrate Khaleda Khatun Rekha ordered the seven accused to pay a total fine of Tk 35,000 each.