The Bangladesh Coast Guard has seized a massive haul of stolen commercial ship supplies including 1,834 liters of fuel and lube oil, two tons of scrap metal and local weapons during two separate anti-smuggling raids in the Patenga area. Two suspects were arrested.
According to an official press release signed by Lieutenant Commander Suman Al Mukit, Media Officer of the Coast Guard East Zone, the successful operations took place between Wednesday night and early Thursday morning.
The first raid occurred on Wednesday (June 10) at around 11:00 PM. Acting on a tip-off, the Coast Guard ship Shyamol Bangla launched a special operation at the outer anchorage of Patenga. Officers intercepted a smuggling boat and recovered 1,134 liters of stolen lube oil, four commercial batteries, BDT 2,225 in cash, and three sharp native knives. Two oil thieves were detained on the spot, and their mechanized boat was impounded. The estimated street value of the recovered goods stands at BDT 4.66 lakh.
The second raid was executed on Thursday (June 11) at around 4:00 AM by the Patenga Coast Guard Outpost near Ghat No. 11. Maritime patrols recovered another 700 liters of stolen diesel and two tons of commercial scrap metal alongside a wooden smuggling boat. The estimated market value of these items is BDT 1.80 lakh. However, the suspects aboard sensed the law enforcers' presence and managed to flee under the cover of darkness.
The total market value of the seized maritime property from both operations crosses BDT 6.47 lakh. The Coast Guard confirmed that the arrested suspects are being handed over to local police, and legal proceedings are underway. Maritime anti-theft operations will be stepped up to protect commercial vessels anchoring at Chattogram Port.
