Cox’s Bazar, Aug. 11 (V7N) — Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has seized nearly 6 lakh yaba tablets, a foreign-made firearm and five rounds of ammunition in separate operations along the borders of Cox’s Bazar and Bandarban.

Two people were arrested in Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar, with 3 lakh 50 thousand yaba tablets, while another 2 lakh 46 thousand yaba tablets, a foreign-made firearm and five rounds of ammunition were recovered abandoned in Naikhongchhari, Bandarban.

The seizures were reported in separate statements issued by the BGB on Monday.

According to the BGB, a special patrol team from the Palongkhali Border Outpost of the Ukhiya Battalion (64 BGB) took position in the Jorakathi area of Ulubonia village early Monday following intelligence reports.

At around 5:10am, the patrol team spotted two men entering Bangladesh from the Myanmar side carrying bags. When the BGB personnel signalled them to stop, the men allegedly attempted to flee but were detained.

The detainees were identified as Nur Bashar, 22, from Katakhali Hatimara village in Teknaf, and Abul Foyez, 25, from Ulubonia village of the same upazila.

A search of their bags led to the recovery of 3 lakh 50 thousand yaba tablets packed in 35 cartons containing khaki-coloured packages.

The BGB said the two men told investigators during preliminary questioning that they had collected the yaba from the Myanmar border area and were transporting it to sell at a higher price.

64 BGB Battalion Commander Lieutenant Colonel Zahirul Islam confirmed the operation. He said the detainees were handed over to the police after a case was filed against them under the Narcotics Control Act.

In a separate operation, the 34 BGB Battalion recovered 2 lakh 46 thousand yaba tablets, a foreign-made firearm and five rounds of ammunition from the Nayapara border area in Ghumdhum Union of Naikhongchhari upazila, Bandarban.

The BGB said it had increased surveillance after receiving intelligence that a consignment of yaba, along with an illegal firearm and ammunition, could be brought into Bangladesh from Myanmar.

Acting on instructions from the battalion commander, a team led by Deputy Commander Major Mohammad Mehedi Hasan Ashiq conducted an operation in the area.

At around 12:15am on Monday, the team searched an area near Nayapara, approximately 130 yards inside Bangladesh from Border Pillar No. 31. The operation resulted in the recovery of the yaba tablets, firearm and ammunition, all of which were found abandoned.

No one was arrested in connection with the second seizure.

BGB officials said regular operations were being conducted along the border to prevent drug trafficking, smuggling and the illegal entry of firearms, alongside efforts to strengthen border security. Intelligence surveillance has also been intensified to identify people involved in drug trafficking and smuggling and bring them under the law.

Cox’s Bazar Battalion Commander Lieutenant Colonel S M Khairul Alam said the BGB was working to strengthen border security while preventing drug and smuggling activities and recovering illegal weapons.

He said such operations would continue in the future.

The BGB said legal proceedings concerning the seized yaba tablets, firearm and ammunition were under way.

END/MSI/SMA/