The Coast Guard has arrested six criminals, along with 53 dredgers, 36 bulkheads, and approximately 1 crore 13 lakh taka in cash, while they were illegally extracting sand from the Meghna River in Hijla, Barishal.

 Coast Guard Media Officer Lieutenant Commander Harun-ur-Rashid shared this information on Sunday afternoon. 

Based on confidential information, a special operation was conducted from 9:00 AM on May 10, 2025, to 1:00 AM on May 11, 2025, by the Bangladesh Coast Guard Southern Zone's BCG Stations of Ilisha, Kaliganj, and Hijla in the Saurarchar area of Hijla Upazila in Barisal, along the Meghna River. During the operation, the Coast Guard arrested six criminals—Abul Bashed (50), Masud Hossain (24), Mohammad Mohauddin (48), Rabbil Dewan (33), Jannatul Baki (24), and Mohammad Saikat (21)—while they were illegally extracting sand. The Coast Guard also seized 53 dredgers, 36 bulkheads, 1 crore 12 lakh 98 thousand 240 Taka in cash, 20 grams of marijuana, and a speedboat used for extortion activities. Preliminary questioning revealed that the arrested criminals have been involved in extortion for a long time.

The arrested individuals, the seized cash, marijuana, and the dredgers and bulkheads will undergo the necessary legal proceedings.

To maintain law and order in the country, the Bangladesh Coast Guard continues constant monitoring and patrolling in its jurisdiction. As a result, there has been significant improvement in the law and order situation in the coastal and riverine areas under the Coast Guard's authority, and criminal activities have significantly reduced.

 The Bangladesh Coast Guard will continue these efforts in the future.