Coast Guard operation : Indian sarees, Punjabis worth Tk 7 cr seized in Patharghata, 5 arrested
Zakir Hossain Khan, Patharghata (Barguna)
Bangladesh Coast Guard has seized a large quantity of Indian sarees and Punjabis brought in through customs evasion in Patharghata, Barguna. Five people, including a fishing boat and a covered van used for smuggling, have been arrested.
According to Coast Guard sources, on Wednesday at around 2 am, Coast Guard Station Patharghata conducted a raid in the area adjacent to the Bishkhali River in Kakchira Union of Patharghata Police Station based on a secret tip-off. At that time, a suspicious fishing boat and a covered van were searched and these goods were seized.
The seized goods include 13,507 Indian sarees and 1,466 Indian Punjabis. The Coast Guard claims that the estimated value of the seized goods is 74.67 crore taka. In addition, the fishing boat and covered van used in smuggling have also been seized.
The arrested persons are Sohag Sardar (32) son of Manik Sardar of Boro Baishidiya village in Rangabali upazila of Patuakhali, Md. Manju Molla (32) son of Md. Alam Molla of Paschim Khajura village in Mohipur police station, Md. Sagar Molla (38) son of Mohammad Nasir Howlader of Moudubi village in Rangabali, Md. Rezaul Gazi (37) son of Mohammad Alauddin Gazi of Khalilpur village in Kalapara police station and Bellal Molla (45) son of Sajan Howlader of Nabankhali village in Bakerganj upazila of Barisal.
Coast Guard Media Officer Lieutenant Commander Sabbir Alam Sujan confirmed the matter on Thursday morning He said that all the seized evidence and the detained persons have been handed over to Patharghata Police Station for further legal action.
