Sundarbans, Nov 11 (V7N) — In two separate drives, the Bangladesh Coast Guard has arrested an armed robber and an arms trader, seizing a cache of weapons, ammunition, and narcotics from different areas of the Sundarbans.

According to Coast Guard media officer (Dhaka) Lieutenant Commander Syam Ul Haque, acting on a tip-off, a team of Coast Guard personnel launched an operation around 2 a.m. on Tuesday in the Bhetkhali area of Koikhali. During the raid, the team apprehended a notorious criminal, human trafficker, and cross-border arms and drug smuggler identified as Mamun Koyal, who attempted to flee into the forest.

Following primary interrogation, Mamun provided information leading to the recovery of a foreign-made 9mm pistol, a one-shooter gun, and eight rounds of live ammunition buried near a canal adjacent to Boyasing in Koikhali. Additionally, 20 bottles of Indian Phensedyl were seized from his residence. Legal action regarding the seized arms, ammunition, narcotics, and the detainee is currently underway.

In another operation at around 2 a.m. on Saturday, Coast Guard personnel conducted a raid targeting the hideout of the notorious “Dulabhai gang” in the Muruli Khal and Cherakhali areas near Khashitana Khal in the Sundarbans. Upon detecting the presence of law enforcement, the gang members opened heavy fire on the Coast Guard. In self-defense, the Coast Guard retaliated with counterfire, prompting the robbers to flee into the deep forest under the cover of darkness.

Subsequently, based on intelligence information, Coast Guard forces arrested a member of the Dulabhai gang, identified as 50-year-old robber Md. Solaiman, from Koyra in Khulna. Acting on his confession, another operation was launched at 4 a.m. on Tuesday, leading to the recovery of one single-barrel gun, 10 live cartridges, 26 empty cartridges, 44 improvised “chocolate bombs,” 30 mobile phones, a binocular, a walkie-talkie, four locally made weapons, and 20 grams of marijuana, along with other robbery equipment.

Solaiman, a resident of Koyra in Khulna district, admitted to having long been involved with the Dulabhai gang, supplying them with weapons, ammunition, and other logistical support for their criminal activities. Legal proceedings concerning the recovered items and the detainee are in progress.

The Bangladesh Coast Guard reaffirmed its commitment to continue such operations to ensure the Sundarbans remains free from banditry and illegal activities.

END/AHS/SMA/