The Coast Guard has arrested five suspected drug traffickers and seized approximately 3,90,000 yaba tablets worth around Tk19.5 crore in two separate operations in Cox’s Bazar.
Coast Guard media officer Lieutenant Commander Sabbir Alam Sujan disclosed the information on Friday.
He said that, acting on intelligence, authorities learned that a large consignment of yaba would be transported to Chittagong by a covered van from Shahporir Dwip’s Jaliapara salt field under Teknaf police station.
Based on the tip-off, a special operation was conducted at around 7:30am on Friday by Coast Guard Station Teknaf on the Baroitoli main road adjacent to the Naf River. During the drive, personnel searched a suspicious covered van and recovered approximately 3,30,000 yaba tablets, worth Tk16.5 crore, concealed in a specially constructed hidden compartment beneath the platform. One alleged trafficker was arrested in connection with the seizure.
In a separate operation, intelligence reports indicated that another consignment of yaba would enter Bangladesh from Myanmar via the Naf River. In response, the Coast Guard intensified radar surveillance and patrols in the area.
At around 2:00am on Friday, a suspicious fishing boat from Myanmar was intercepted as it entered Bangladesh’s territorial waters near Golar Char, Shahporir Dwip. A search of the vessel led to the recovery of around 60,000 yaba tablets worth Tk3 crore, and the arrest of four suspected traffickers.
The seized yaba, along with the boat and covered van used in trafficking, have been taken into custody. Legal proceedings against the detainees are currently underway.
He added that the Coast Guard will continue such operations in the future to curb drug trafficking
