Teknaf, Sept. 10 (V7N) - Smugglers have become increasingly active in trafficking fertilizer from Bangladesh to Myanmar through several border points in Cox’s Bazar, raising concern among farmers and agricultural stakeholders over the potential impact on local fertilizer supplies.
Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and the Coast Guard have seized several consignments of fertilizer allegedly being smuggled to Myanmar in recent weeks. Agricultural stakeholders have called for stronger action to identify and crack down on those involved in the illegal trade.
Local sources said fertilizer smuggling to Myanmar had largely remained inactive for several years, with seizures being relatively rare during that period. However, a recent increase in such incidents has sparked fresh concern among farmers and people involved in the agricultural sector.
The renewed smuggling is reportedly linked to the ongoing conflict between Myanmar’s government and armed groups in Rakhine State. Agricultural sources said farmers in areas under the control of the Arakan Army are facing difficulties obtaining fertilizer for their fields.
People allegedly involved in the smuggling trade said urea fertilizer is in high demand in Myanmar, where it can reportedly be sold for nearly twice the price. They said Bangladeshi smugglers are supplying fertilizer to Myanmar traders at around Tk 3,000 per sack.
According to local farmers, the opportunity to sell fertilizer at significantly higher prices in Myanmar has encouraged some Bangladeshi smugglers to become active again.
Sources said large-scale smugglers operating from Halishahar, Patenga, Bhatiari, Kutubdia and Maheshkhali in Chattogram have been transporting fertilizer to Myanmar by sea using vessels and trawlers. The Coast Guard has intercepted several consignments during such operations.
Following the seizures of fertilizer shipments transported by sea, smugglers operating through various border points in Teknaf and Ukhiya have also reportedly become more active. BGB has already detained several alleged smugglers and seized fertilizer while it was being transported toward Myanmar.
On Sept. 8, BGB seized five sacks of urea fertilizer while it was allegedly being smuggled through the Damdamia border area of Teknaf.
Earlier, on Sept. 2, BGB seized 35 sacks of fertilizer and a manually operated boat from the same border area while they were allegedly being prepared for smuggling to Myanmar.
On Aug. 20, troops of the Sabrang Border Outpost conducted an operation in the Naf River and seized a motorized boat carrying 53 sacks of fertilizer.
On Sept. 6, Morichya BGB seized a large consignment of 300 sacks of fertilizer while it was allegedly being transported by truck toward Myanmar.
On Sept. 3, members of the 34 BGB seized 88 sacks of urea and TSP fertilizer while they were allegedly being smuggled through the Ghumdhum border area.
On the night of July 15, troops of the Palongkhali Border Outpost detained four Rohingya people allegedly caught smuggling 13 sacks of urea fertilizer through the Palongkhali border.
On July 13, troops of the Palongkhali Border Outpost under 64 BGB seized 130 sacks of fertilizer while they were allegedly being smuggled through the border.
On July 8, troops of the Palongkhali Border Outpost conducted an operation in the Anjumanpara area and seized 22 sacks of urea fertilizer along with an easy-bike.
On July 1, troops of the same outpost detained an alleged smuggler and seized 20 sacks of urea fertilizer during an operation in the Farirbil area.
The Coast Guard has also seized several fertilizer consignments transported by ship for alleged smuggling to Myanmar through the Halishahar, Bhatiari, Patenga and Kutubdia areas of Chattogram.
Teknaf Upazila Agriculture Officer Md. Humayun Kabir said a meeting was held last month, in August, with the participation of the upazila administration, BGB, police, RAB, Coast Guard and other relevant agencies.
He said the meeting emphasized increasing surveillance along the border, strengthening monitoring at the dealer level, opening fertilizer sacks before distribution and stopping fertilizer sales after 5 p.m. as measures to prevent smuggling.
“Our efforts to bring fertilizer smuggling down to zero will continue,” Kabir said, adding that coordinated efforts and monitoring by all concerned agencies could prevent the illegal trade.
He said another meeting involving the upazila administration, police, BGB, Coast Guard and RAB was expected to be held within a few days.
Coast Guard media officer Lieutenant Commander BN Sabbir Alam Sujon said the force remained active in preventing fertilizer smuggling and other forms of cross-border trafficking.
He said such operations would continue in the future.
Several attempts were made to contact Dr. Bimal Kumar Pramanik, deputy director of the Department of Agricultural Extension in Cox’s Bazar, for comment, but he could not be reached by phone.
Lieutenant Colonel Zahirul Islam, commander of the 64 BGB, said fertilizer is not an item that can easily be carried unnoticed because of its bulk, and local people are generally aware of who needs fertilizer in their areas.
He urged farmers and local residents to provide information to BGB and other law enforcement agencies to help prevent smuggling.
He also emphasized stronger monitoring, transparency in fertilizer distribution and greater public awareness to curb the illegal trafficking of fertilizer to Myanmar.
END/MFA/SMA/
