12 held with 750 sacks of Myanmar-bound cement in Teknaf

The Bangladesh Coast Guard on Monday arrested 12 people along with 750 sacks of cement (37,500kg) as they were allegedly smuggling the consignment to Myanmar through the sea northwest of St Martin's Island in Teknaf of Cox's Bazar.
The Coast Guard also seized a boat used in the smuggling attempt during the operation early Monday, said Coast Guard Media Officer Lieutenant Commander Sabbir Alam Sujan.
He said a special anti-smuggling operation was conducted acting on secret information at around 3am when the Coast Guard spotted a suspicious boat and signalled it to stop; the crew ignored the order and attempted to flee. The Coast Guard team later chased and intercepted the boat in the deep sea.
A search of the vessel led to the recovery of 750 sacks of cement weighing 37,500kg, which were allegedly being transported to Myanmar for smuggling. The Coast Guard estimates the seized cement is worth Tk3.75 lakh. 
The 12 people were arrested on suspicion of involvement in the smuggling attempt.
Legal proceedings against the detainees are underway, while further action will be taken regarding the seized cement and boat, the Coast Guard said.