23 detained with two cement-laden boats while being smuggled to Myanmar

ছবিঃ সিএনআই

Staff Reporter: The Bangladesh Navy has seized 1,750 bags of cement and detained 23 smugglers along with two engine-powered boats while they were being illegally transported to Myanmar. The operation took place on Wednesday (17 December) in the Bay of Bengal near the Kutubdia outer anchorage area, based on confidential intelligence.

According to the Navy, while on patrol, the ship Shaheed Mohibullah spotted two suspicious wooden boats 46 miles off Kutubdia Lighthouse. When Navy personnel signaled the boats to stop for inspection, the occupants attempted to flee. The Navy vessel Mohibullah pursued and successfully apprehended the two boats, named FB Azizul Haque and FB Runa Akter, along with the 23 smugglers.

A subsequent search of the seized boats recovered 1,750 bags of Bangladeshi Diamond Cement and 32 mobile phones. All 23 members of the smuggling group were also detained.

The Navy stated that the cement bags were being transported to Myanmar for higher profit. The seized goods and the detained individuals were later handed over to Patenga Model Police Station for legal action.