The Bangladesh Coast Guard has detained nine alleged smugglers along with 10,000 kilograms (10 tonnes) of urea fertilizer while conducting an operation in the deep sea southeast of St. Martin’s Island in Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar. The fertilizer was reportedly being transported to Myanmar for smuggling.

Coast Guard Media Officer Lieutenant Commander Sabbir Alam Sujon disclosed the information on Sunday (November 1).

He said a Coast Guard vessel deployed under Operation Sar Suraksha conducted a special anti-smuggling operation in the area at around 2:00 am on the same day, acting on a tip-off.

During the operation, the Coast Guard signalled a suspicious boat to stop. However, the boat ignored the signal and attempted to flee. The Coast Guard team chased and intercepted it in the deep sea.

A subsequent search of the boat led to the recovery of 10,000 kilograms of urea fertilizer allegedly intended for illegal transportation to Myanmar. Nine people were detained along with the boat used in the alleged smuggling operation.

The estimated market value of the seized fertilizer is Tk 250,000, the Coast Guard said.

The media officer further said that legal proceedings against the detained individuals, along with the seized fertilizer and boat, are underway.

He added that the Bangladesh Coast Guard would continue such operations to prevent smuggling in the country’s maritime territory.