8 held while attempting to smuggle 375 bags of cement to Myanmar

Photo: Times of Bangladesh

Arakan Now | 6 Dec 2025

Coast Guard members have arrested eight people while they were attempting to smuggle cement into Myanmar. At the time of the arrest, 375 bags of cement were seized from their possession, according to the Times of Bangladesh 

A case has been filed against them, Coast Guard Media Officer Lieutenant Commander Siam-ul-Haq said in a press release on Saturday morning.

He added, “Acting on a tip-off, a special team from Cox’s Bazar conducted the operation around midnight on Friday.”

During the operation, a suspicious fishing trawler near the estuary of the Bakkhali River was searched, leading to the seizure of 375 bags of cement. The estimated market value of the seized cement is Tk1.87 lakh.

The official also said, “Due to the recent increase in smuggling of cement, fertilizer, food products, and drugs in the coastal areas, the Coast Guard has been keeping the sea and river routes under regular surveillance. As part of this ongoing effort, several major operations have been conducted in the last few months.”

Previously, on 24 November, nine suspected smugglers were detained with 450 bags of cement from the St Martin’s Island coast.