The Bangladesh Coast Guard has intercepted a cargo vessel attempting to illicitly transport 40 tonnes of commercial cement to Myanmar, apprehending four individuals in connection with the smuggling operation near the port city of Chattogram. Operating on targeted intelligence, officers from the Patenga Coast Guard Outpost conducted a special maritime raid around 8:00 am on Sunday, 1 October, near Ghat No. 15 along the Karnaphuli Channel under Patenga Police Station.
Detailing the successful operation on Sunday evening, Coast Guard Media Officer Lieutenant Commander Sabbir Alam Sujon confirmed that patrol units intercepted a suspicious wooden cargo boat manoeuvring through the busy waterway. A thorough search of the vessel uncovered forty tonnes of cement, valued at approximately BDT 400,000, which was being illegally transported without valid customs documentation or export clearance. Officers immediately seized the entire consignment alongside the vessel used in the trafficking attempt, taking all four crew members into custody on the spot.
Maritime security agencies have intensified vigilance across the Bay of Bengal and major riverine routes following an uptick in cross-border smuggling activities targeting neighbouring Myanmar. Smugglers frequently attempt to utilise the intricate network of estuaries, rivers, and coastal channels around Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar to bypass official customs checkpoints. Their goal is to transport construction materials, essential food commodities, and fuel into regional markets across the border where supply shortages command higher profit margins. The Karnaphuli River serves as a critical maritime artery, making continuous surveillance along its channels vital for curbing illicit commercial trade.
Lieutenant Commander Sujon stated that formal legal proceedings are currently underway regarding the seized construction materials, the confiscated cargo vessel, and the four detained suspects. The contraband goods and individuals are being transferred to local police authorities for formal processing under national anti-smuggling statutes and customs regulations.
Reiterating the force’s commitment, the spokesperson confirmed that the Bangladesh Coast Guard maintains a strict zero-tolerance stance against all forms of maritime crime. Regular day-and-night patrols, random vessel inspections, and intelligence-led operations will continue without interruption across all coastal waters to safeguard national economic interests, prevent duty evasion, and maintain territorial security along the country’s maritime boundary.
