Navy arrests 23 with two boats smuggling to Myanmar

The Bangladesh Navy has recovered 1,750 sacks of cement along with two engine-run boats and arrested 23 smugglers during illegal smuggling to Myanmar.

"The Navy conducted a drive in the Kutubdia outer anchorage area while patrolling in the Bay of Bengal last day," said a release of the Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) Directorate on Wednesday evening.

On secret information, the Navy members intensified patrols in Saint Martin and adjacent areas where a gang was smuggling cement to Myanmar by evading customs duties through sea routes using engine-powered boats.

The naval force, while engaged in patrolling there, boarding on Bangladesh Navy ship Shahid Mohibullah spotted two suspicious wooden boats 46 miles away from the Kutubdia Lighthouse.

Meanwhile, when the Navy signaled the two boats to stop for the purpose of searching, they tried to escape.

Subsequently, Bangladesh Navy ship Mohibullah chased and detained two boats --'FB Azizul Haque' and 'FB Runa Akhter'-- and seized smuggled goods.

The detainees, however, were handed over to Patenga Model Police Station for legal action, the ISPR added.

The Bangladesh Navy has been conducting regular patrols to protect the sovereignty of the country's maritime borders, ensure maritime security and establish good governance at sea.

Apart from maintaining the security of the sea and coastal areas, the Navy's operations and patrols are continuing to suppress internal terrorism, drug smuggling and other criminal activities.