Coast Guard Arrests 13 in Two Operations Near Teknaf; Liquor and Goods Seized

The Bangladesh Coast Guard has arrested 10 alleged drug traffickers and three smugglers in two separate operations near Teknaf and St. Martin's Island. The operations resulted in the seizure of foreign liquor and a large quantity of essential goods being smuggled to Myanmar.

Lieutenant Commander Sabbir Alam Sujan, Media Officer of the Coast Guard Headquarters, confirmed the details on Wednesday afternoon.

Early Tuesday morning, Coast Guard personnel spotted a suspicious trawler northwest of Chheradwip, St. Martin's. After a brief chase, the team intercepted the vessel and recovered 80 bottles of foreign liquor valued at approximately Tk 2.6 lakh. Ten individuals from various districts, including Bhola, Patuakhali, and Chattogram, were arrested on board.

In a second raid early Wednesday, the Coast Guard intercepted another trawler near Shahparidwip Golarchar in Sabrang Union. The vessel was carrying daily necessities toward the Myanmar border. Officers seized 400 liters of soybean oil, 400 kg of onions, and 450 kg of flour, with an estimated market value of Tk 1.54 lakh. Three smugglers, including residents of Teknaf’s Mithapanir Chha area, were taken into custody.

All 13 detainees and the seized goods have been handed over to Teknaf Model Police Station for legal proceedings under the relevant laws.