Ukhiya, Sept 20 (V7N) — The Ukhiya upazila administration has seized 77 sacks of urea fertiliser allegedly being transported for smuggling in Palongkhali of Cox’s Bazar.
The fertiliser was seized in two separate incidents on Friday night with assistance from local residents. No one was arrested.
According to local sources, at around 8pm, residents stopped an auto-rickshaw carrying two sacks of fertiliser in the Palongkhali Station area. The driver fled after abandoning the fertiliser.
Later, in the presence of a Sub-Assistant Agriculture Officer, authorities seized the two sacks containing 100 kilograms of fertiliser.
In a separate operation based on confidential information, another 75 sacks of urea fertiliser were recovered abandoned beside a bridge in the Chitakhola area of West Palongkhali.
The seizure was carried out with the cooperation of police and following instructions from the upazila administration.
Ukhiya Upazila Agriculture Officer Kamanashish Sarkar said the seized fertiliser would be sold to local farmers in accordance with government regulations, and the proceeds would be deposited into the government treasury.
“Surveillance will continue to prevent the smuggling of fertiliser allocated under government programmes,” he said.
Local resident Ashek Elahi Rubel said residents were remaining alert to prevent fertiliser allocated to farmers from being diverted elsewhere and would cooperate with the administration by providing information about suspected smuggling.
According to local residents, the fertiliser had been brought by bus from Cox’s Bazar Sadar to Palongkhali Station and was later allegedly being transported elsewhere using different vehicles.
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