The Bangladesh Coast Guard has arrested two suspected drug traffickers with 2.5 lakh yaba pills, estimated to be worth Tk12.5 crore, while allegedly attempting to smuggle the shipment into Chattogram through the sea route.
The yaba was seized from a suspicious boat at Chattogram Port’s outer anchorage around 3am today (10 August), according to a Coast Guard press release.
“The seizure was made around 3am after a Coast Guard team, deployed under Operation Samudra Prahari, signalled a suspicious boat to stop,” said Coast Guard Media Officer Lt Commander Sabbir Alam Sujon.
The boat allegedly ignored the signal and attempted to flee at high speed, prompting the Coast Guard team to give chase and intercept it, he said.
A search of the boat led to the recovery of the yaba tablets and the boat allegedly used to transport the shipment. Two men on board were also arrested, according to the release.
During preliminary questioning, the detainees reportedly told the Coast Guard that an organised drug trafficking ring had collected the yaba from different parts of Myanmar and was attempting to smuggle it into Chattogram.
The Coast Guard said the seizure followed long-term intelligence surveillance.
It added that efforts were underway, in coordination with other law enforcement agencies, to identify and arrest other members of the alleged trafficking ring.
Legal proceedings against the two detainees are being initiated, while the seized yaba and boat will be handed over to the relevant authorities for further legal action, the release said.
The Coast Guard also said it would continue operations to prevent drug trafficking and curb the spread of narcotics.
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