The Bangladesh Coast Guard has seized banned polythene and illegal current nets worth over BDT 5.1 crore during two separate anti-smuggling operations in Bhola.
Lt. Md. Salman Bin Shawkat, Media Officer of the Coast Guard South Zone, confirmed the recoveries, noting that both drives were conducted based on intelligence reports.
The first operation took place at 10:00 PM on Tuesday (July 7). Personnel from Coast Guard Base Bhola intercepted a covered van near Kheyaghat in Bhola Sadar. Upon searching the vehicle, officers recovered 2,500 kg of banned polythene valued at approximately BDT 7.5 lakh. The driver and helper were released along with the vehicle after the seizure.
Hours later, at 3:00 AM on Wednesday (July 8), Coast Guard Outpost Lalmohan conducted a second raid at Badarpur Dhumketu Housing under Lalmohan Police Station. After searching three suspected warehouses, officials seized over 1.4 million meters of banned current nets, estimated to be worth BDT 5.03 crore. The suspected smugglers fled the scene before they could be apprehended.
The seized polythene was handed over to the Department of Environment in Bhola for further legal action. Meanwhile, the illegal fishing nets were destroyed in coordination with the Bhola District Fisheries Officer to protect local riverine ecosystems.
