Bangladesh Coast Guard arrested 11 smugglers while they were attempting to exchange Bangladeshi goods for yaba, alcohol and other narcotics from Myanmar.
Acting on secret information, coast guard ship Apurba Bangla conducted a special operation at around 10:00pm Sunday in the sea area southeast of Cheradwip near St Martins Island, said a press release, signed by BCG media officer Lieutenant Commander Siam-ul-Haq, on Tuesday.
During the raid, BCG officers seized 500 sacks of potatoes worth about Tk 5 lakh and a fishing boat used to transport the goods illegally, evading customs and taxes.
The coast guard said legal action is underway against the detained. It also reaffirmed its commitment to continuing such operations to curb cross-border smuggling.
