The Bangladesh Coast Guard has intensified surveillance across maritime and river routes, seizing prohibited fishing nets, various species of fish and smuggled goods worth approximately Tk 17,516 crore over the past year.
Between January 1, 2025 and December 31, 2025, Coast Guard operations conducted in maritime zones, coastal areas and riverine regions led to the seizure of smuggled goods valued at around Tk 150.41 crore.
As part of special anti-piracy and anti-terror drives, the force recovered 203 locally and foreign-made firearms, 380 locally made weapons, 4,668 rounds of live ammunition and 370 rounds of blank ammunition. During these operations, 1,527 individuals — including listed criminals, pirates, forest bandits and others involved in illegal activities — were arrested, along with 15 human traffickers. At the same time, 297 victims held for the purpose of human trafficking were successfully rescued.
In anti-narcotics operations, the Coast Guard seized 38.92 lakh yaba tablets worth approximately Tk 194.60 crore; 230 kilograms of cannabis valued at Tk 69 lakh; 3,273 bottles of beer and whisky worth Tk 1.11 crore; 3 kilograms of crystal methamphetamine (ice) valued at Tk 15 crore; around 350,000 illegal cigarettes worth Tk 35 lakh; and 26,000 litres of locally produced illicit liquor worth Tk 2.34 crore. A total of 670 drug traffickers were arrested in connection with these seizures.
Continuous crackdowns to ensure overall port security have brought piracy in outer anchorage areas down to virtually zero, while the ratings of the country’s seaports have improved significantly.
During major fire incidents involving oil tankers MT Banglar Jyoti and MT Banglar Sourav, as well as the LPG vessel Sophia, the Bangladesh Coast Guard acted as the first responder, reaching the scenes promptly, extinguishing the fires and preventing environmental pollution along the coast.
In recognition of its exceptional bravery and professionalism, the Bangladesh Coast Guard has, for the first time in the country’s history, received the prestigious ‘Letter of Commendation’ from the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
To conserve fishery resources and boost production, further operations led to the seizure of 560,000 kilograms of jatka (juvenile ilish) worth approximately Tk 17,152 crore; 90.88 crore shrimp fry; 174,000 kilograms of jelly-injected shrimp; 253.29 crore metres of banned current nets; 528,000 metres of behundi nets; and 68 crore metres of other prohibited nets. In recognition of these efforts, the Coast Guard was awarded the Coast Guard Silver Medal 2025.
It is noteworthy that against an annual budget of Tk 700 crore, the Coast Guard’s operational success over the past year amounted to approximately Tk 17,516 crore.
The Bangladesh Coast Guard continues round-the-clock operations in maritime, coastal and riverine areas to further strengthen the country’s blue economy and remains committed to serving the nation and its people in the years ahead.