Three arrested in Cox’s Bazar for attempting to smuggle firearm accessories to Arakan Army

Photo: Daily Sun

Arakan Now | 18 December 2025

Members of the Bangladesh Police have arrested three alleged smugglers in Ramu upazila of Cox’s Bazar while they were attempting to smuggle firearm accessories.

According to police, a total of 1,600 pieces of heavy firearm magazine components were recovered from a border-bound mini truck during the operation.

The arrests were confirmed on Thursday afternoon by Ramu Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Monirul Islam Bhuiyan of the Bangladesh Police.

The arrested individuals were identified as Md Shahjahan, 25, son of Nurul Alam of Kombonia area under Sadar Union of Naikhyangchhari upazila in Bandarban; Md Iliyas, 19, son of Md Badiuzzaman of Ashartali area in the same union; and Atikur Rahman, 25, son of MA Samad of Ghilatali area.

OC Monirul said that Bangladesh Police received intelligence late Wednesday night about the transportation of firearm accessories through the Cha Bagan area of Joriyanala Union in Ramu for supply to an armed group in Myanmar.

Acting on the tip-off, police set up a temporary checkpost on the Ramu–Naikhyangchhari road in front of a restaurant named Al Madina in the tea garden area. When a Naikhyangchhari-bound mini truck arriving from Chattogram was signaled to stop, three suspicious occupants of the vehicle attempted to flee after noticing the police presence. Police chased and managed to detain them.

Upon searching the mini truck, Bangladesh Police recovered 32 small plastic sacks containing 1,600 pieces of magazine components used for heavy firearms. The mini truck was also seized.

The OC said the detainees confessed that the recovered items were being transported to the Arakan Army through the Naikhyangchhari border.

A case has been filed against the accused under relevant laws at Ramu Police Station.