Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has seized drugs and smuggled goods with a value of Tk957.13 crore during operations conducted by 13 battalions under its Sarail region up to October 15 this year. During these operations, authorities detained 333 people and initiated 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 the BGB, the seized items included 340,815 yaba pills, 14,967 kilograms of cannabis, 63,575 bottles of foreign liquor, 16,880 bottles of beer, as well as Phensedyl and Eskuf syrups, reports Bangla Tribune. The force also recovered 432,510 sexual stimulant tablets and 210 litres of locally brewed liquor.
Other recoveries included 11 pistols, seven air guns, five pipe guns, 62 rounds of ammunition, 19 kilograms of high explosives, 117 detonators, and 77 metres of detonator wire.
To protect natural resources, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) also seized 16,800 cubic feet of stone and 8,200 cubic feet of sand.
Officials reported that 211 border outposts, overseen by 13 battalions spread across four sectors of the Sarail region, were carrying out surveillance and patrols along a border measuring nearly 1,204 kilometers.
Meanwhile, five platoons of BGB personnel have been deployed to ensure security at 18 Durga Puja venues within the Feni Battalion's area of responsibility. Additionally, a base camp has been established 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 stated that BGB operations will continue to safeguard the country's sovereignty and borders, stop drug trafficking and smuggling, and guarantee the safety and welfare of residents living along the border.
He urged the public to avoid spreading rumours and to report suspicious information to law enforcement agencies in order to help maintain a peaceful atmosphere throughout the Durga Puja celebrations.
Why it matters
The large-scale seizures underscore the ongoing challenge of cross-border smuggling and drug trafficking along Bangladesh's frontiers and the BGB's role in securing nearly 1,204km of border.