Teknaf, Jan 05, (V7N) -  A gunfight erupted between the Bangladesh Coast Guard and drug traffickers in Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar, resulting in the death of one trafficker. During the operation, the Coast Guard apprehended 16 criminals and seized 10,000 yaba tablets, three homemade firearms, and three rounds of ammunition.
 
The operation took place on the night of January 3, based on a tip-off that a large consignment of drugs was crossing from Myanmar to Bangladesh via the Shahpari Island sea area. The Coast Guard team stationed at Teknaf and Shahpari Island conducted a special operation when a fishing boat, traveling from Myanmar’s Mongdu and Naikhyangdia areas, entered Bangladesh’s waters.
 
Upon signaling the boat to stop, it ignored the command and attempted to flee towards Cox’s Bazar. The Coast Guard fired warning shots, but the boat suddenly opened fire on the Coast Guard personnel. In response, the Coast Guard team fired at the boat's waterline and engine room, bringing it to a halt.
 
Upon searching the boat, the Coast Guard recovered the yaba tablets, firearms, ammunition, and arrested 16 drug traffickers and robbers. During the search, one of the traffickers was found shot in the engine room and was later declared dead at the Teknaf Health Complex.
 
Initial interrogations revealed that the criminals had thrown a significant amount of drugs into the sea upon noticing the Coast Guard’s presence. Ongoing operations are underway to recover the discarded drugs. The seized drugs, firearms, ammunition, and detainees have been handed over to Teknaf Model Police Station for further legal action.
 
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