Noakhali Correspondent: The Bangladesh Coast Guard has seized 15,000 kilograms of red sugar, which had been brought into Hatiya, Noakhali, by evading customs duties. A steel-hulled landing craft used to transport the sugar was also seized. The estimated market value of the confiscated sugar is 2.4 million (24 lakh) taka. No arrests could be made in connection with the incident.
This information was shared on Monday evening (October 19) by the Coast Guard’s media officer, Lieutenant Commander Sabbir Alam Sujan.
According to the Coast Guard, acting on a tip-off, the Coast Guard Station in Hatiya conducted a special operation near the Tangki canal in Hatiya Upazila, Noakhali, around 1:00 PM on Monday. During the operation, they searched a suspicious steel-hulled landing craft and discovered 15,000 kilograms of red sugar that had been smuggled in to evade customs duties. The landing craft used for the smuggling was also seized. Lieutenant Commander Sujan noted that no one could be apprehended, as the smugglers fled upon sensing the arrival of the Coast Guard.
Lieutenant Commander Sabbir Alam Sujan added that the process for taking further legal action regarding the seized sugar and the landing craft is currently underway. He emphasized that the Coast Guard will continue to conduct such operations in the future to curb smuggling.
BP/KJ
