Coast Guard seizes Indian sarees in Barguna

The Coast Guard has seized a huge consignment of Indian sarees and panjabis worth Tk 7.04 crore, allegedly brought into the country through customs evasion, in Patharghata upazila of Barguna.

Five smugglers were arrested during the operation, while a fishing boat and a covered van allegedly used in the smuggling operation were also seized.

Coast Guard Media Officer Lieutenant Commander Sabbir Alam Sujon disclosed the information on Thursday.

He said Coast Guard Station Patharghata conducted a special operation near the Bishkhali River in Kakchira union of Patharghata on Wednesday, September 23, acting on a tip-off.

During the operation, Coast Guard personnel searched a suspicious fishing boat and a covered van in the area and seized 13,507 Indian sarees and 1,466 Indian panjabis, worth approximately Tk 7 crore 4 lakh 67 thousand, that had allegedly been brought into the country by evading customs duties.
Five alleged smugglers were arrested in connection with the incident.

The fishing boat and covered van allegedly used to transport the goods were also seized.
The seized goods, fishing boat, covered van and arrested individuals were handed over to Patharghata Police Station for further legal action.

Lieutenant Commander Sabbir Alam Sujon added that the Coast Guard would continue conducting such operations to prevent smuggling.