The Bangladesh Coast Guard has seized a large quantity of illegally stored jet fuel, diesel, octane, and soybean oil during two separate special operations in Patenga and EPZ areas of Chittagong.
The information was disclosed on Tuesday by Coast Guard Media Officer Lieutenant Commander Sabbir Alam Sujan, said a press release.
According to the Coast Guard, the force has been continuing regular patrols, intelligence surveillance, and anti-smuggling drives across coastal and riverine regions to prevent illegal trade, drug trafficking, and other criminal activities. Authorities have also intensified monitoring to stop unscrupulous traders from creating artificial shortages or stockpiling fuel illegally amid the ongoing global energy crisis.
In the first operation, carried out around 11pm on Monday near VIP Road under Patenga Police Station, Coast Guard members raided a secret fuel storage facility following a tip-off. During the drive, they recovered approximately 7,000 litres of jet fuel, 6,000 litres of diesel, and 1,500 litres of octane. A truck allegedly used to transport the fuel was also seized from the scene.
Officials estimated the total value of the recovered fuel and vehicle at around Tk2.335 million.
In a separate operation conducted around 1am on Tuesday near Akmal Ali Switch Gate under EPZ Police Station, Coast Guard personnel seized nearly 5,000 litres of soybean oil worth about Tk900,000. The edible oil was allegedly unloaded illegally from a vessel for unauthorized market distribution.
No arrests were made in either raid, as the suspected smugglers fled after sensing the presence of the law enforcement team.
The Coast Guard said intelligence operations have been strengthened to identify and arrest those involved, adding that anti-smuggling drives will continue in the future.
