ST. MARTIN’S ISLAND, February 26, (V7N) — In a major midnight operation, the Bangladesh Coast Guard has arrested 19 individuals and seized a massive consignment of food and construction materials being smuggled into Myanmar. The raid, conducted under the ongoing "Operation Coral Island," took place in the early hours of Thursday in the southeastern waters near Chheradwip.

The operation was executed by the Coast Guard vessel BCGS Apurba Bangla. Acting on precise intelligence, the maritime team intercepted two suspicious fishing boats—identified in local reports as FB Simanta and FB Suravi—approximately 38 miles from the St. Martin’s Lighthouse. When ordered to stop, the vessels reportedly attempted to flee but were successfully cornered and boarded by the Coast Guard personnel.
Seized Goods and Valuation

The total value of the seized goods is estimated at approximately 1.1 million BDT (11 lakh). The items were being transported illegally to evade government taxes and customs duties. The inventory of the seized consignment includes:

Cement: 1,140 sacks

Food Items: 50 sacks of chickpeas, 20 sacks of potatoes, and 5 sacks of garlic

Energy Drinks: 7,080 pieces (specifically Royal Tiger brand)

Vessels: Two engine-powered fishing boats used for the transport

Arrests and Legal Action

Nineteen individuals, all suspected members of an organized smuggling syndicate, were taken into custody during the raid. Lieutenant Commander Sabbir Alam Sujan, Media Officer of the Coast Guard, confirmed the arrests and stated that the suspects, along with the seized goods and boats, are being handed over to the relevant authorities for formal prosecution under the Narcotics Control Act and Customs Act.

This crackdown comes amid a sharp rise in cross-border smuggling toward Myanmar's Rakhine State, where conflict has disrupted traditional supply chains, creating a high demand for construction materials and daily essentials. The Coast Guard has reiterated its commitment to maintaining a "zero-tolerance" policy regarding illegal trade and has intensified surveillance across all maritime routes in the Bay of Bengal.

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