Mongla, Dec 29 (V7N) — Bangladesh Coast Guard has reported significant success in maintaining maritime security, combating crime, and providing humanitarian assistance along the Mongla coast and the Sundarbans throughout 2025.

Over the past year, the Bangladesh Coast Guard achieved major operational successes along the Mongla coastal belt. From January to December, Coast Guard units conducted extensive operations in the sea and the Sundarbans, arresting 49 pirates and recovering 38 firearms along with 448 rounds of ammunition. During these operations, 52 fishermen were rescued from pirate captivity.

In anti-narcotics drives, the Coast Guard seized 5,674 pieces of yaba tablets, 13 kilograms of cannabis, and 1,256 bottles of foreign liquor and beer, leading to the arrest of 51 suspected drug traffickers.

As part of wildlife and environmental protection efforts, Coast Guard personnel recovered 824 kilograms of venison and seized 600 hunting traps, arresting 29 poachers involved in illegal activities within protected forest areas.

Fisheries protection operations resulted in the seizure of 12 crore meters of illegal fishing nets, fish larvae worth approximately Tk 120 crore, and 14,000 kilograms of jelly-injected shrimp, aimed at preventing environmental damage and safeguarding marine resources.

In addition to law enforcement activities, the Coast Guard extended humanitarian services by providing free medical treatment to around 2,000 people and distributing winter clothing among 500 underprivileged individuals.

These details were shared at a press briefing held at 11:30 am on Monday at the Coast Guard West Zone Headquarters in Mongla. The briefing was addressed by the Zonal Commander, Captain Mohammad Mezbaul Islam.

Speaking at the event, Captain Islam said the Coast Guard has initiated preparatory measures ahead of the upcoming national parliamentary elections to ensure a free, fair, and peaceful voting process. He noted that important intelligence and field-level information are being collected across coastal areas under the West Zone, while Coast Guard members are receiving election-related training to ensure effective duty deployment. He emphasized that the Coast Guard West Zone remains fully alert and prepared to safeguard public security and support a credible electoral process.

The Zonal Commander also stated that the Coast Guard provides maritime security during visits by nationally and internationally important dignitaries. To prevent accidents involving tourists visiting the Sundarbans, regular patrols are being conducted to ensure the mandatory use of life jackets and to prevent vessels from carrying passengers beyond their approved capacity. As a result, navigational safety for tourists in the Sundarbans has improved significantly.

Furthermore, he said the Bangladesh Coast Guard continues to conduct joint operations in coordination with the Navy, RAB, Police, Forest Department, Department of Fisheries, and other maritime agencies to maintain law and order and ensure maritime security. Through its sustained efforts in coastal security, port protection, conservation of forest resources, and humanitarian assistance, the Coast Guard West Zone has earned the trust of the people in the country’s southwest region and remains committed to continuing these activities in the future.

END/AHS/SMA/