Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has seized drugs and smuggled goods worth Tk957.13 crore during operations by 13 battalions under its Sarail region up to October 15 this year, detaining 333 people and taking legal action against them.
Lieutenant Colonel Md Hasibul Islam, commanding officer of Feni Battalion (4 BGB), disclosed the information at a press briefing organised by the battalion on Sunday.
The briefing highlighted operations along the border, seizures of drugs and smuggled goods, and measures to strengthen border security.
According to BGB, the seized items included 340,815 yaba pills, 14,967kg of cannabis, 63,575 bottles of foreign liquor, 16,880 bottles of beer, and Phensedyl and Eskuf syrups. The force also seized 432,510 sexual stimulant tablets and 210 litres of locally brewed liquor, reports Bangla Tribune.
Other recoveries included 11 pistols, seven air guns, five pipe guns, 62 rounds of ammunition, 19kg of high explosives, 117 detonators and 77 metres of detonator wire.
To protect natural resources, BGB also seized 16,800 cubic feet of stone and 8,200 cubic feet of sand.
Officials said 211 border outposts (BOPs) under 13 battalions across four sectors of the Sarail region were conducting surveillance and patrols along nearly 1,204km of border.
Meanwhile, five platoons of BGB personnel have been deployed to ensure security at 18 Durga Puja venues within Feni Battalion's area of responsibility. A base camp has also been set up at Buxmahmood High School in Parshuram.
Security measures include regular patrols, intelligence surveillance and coordination with the local administration and police.
Lieutenant Colonel Hasibul Islam said BGB operations would continue to protect the country's sovereignty and borders, prevent drug trafficking and smuggling, and ensure the safety and welfare of border residents.
He urged the public to avoid spreading rumours and report suspicious information to law enforcement agencies to help maintain a peaceful atmosphere during Durga Puja.
