Cox’s Bazar, 18 July (V7N) – The Bangladesh Coast Guard has seized 1.4 lakh yaba tablets and arrested 17 suspected drug traffickers during a late-night maritime operation near St. Martin’s Island under Teknaf upazila. The seized drugs are estimated to be worth around Tk 7 crore on the black market.

According to Coast Guard spokesperson Lt Commander Harun-or-Rashid, the operation was launched around 1:00 a.m. on Friday based on secret intelligence. Members of Coast Guard Station Teknaf and Shahpari Island Outpost carried out the raid in the sea area near the island.

Two engine-powered wooden boats were spotted moving suspiciously. When signaled to stop, the boats attempted to escape into deeper waters. After an hour-long chase, both vessels were intercepted. A thorough search led to the recovery of 1.4 lakh yaba pills and 40 packets of foreign-brand cigarettes.

The 17 individuals onboard were taken into custody, although their identities have not been made public yet. Legal proceedings are currently underway.

In a related development, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) seized another 21,600 yaba pills in two separate operations in Ukhiya upazila on the same day. During the first operation near Baishfari border area, a suspect dropped a bag and fled after being challenged by BGB personnel. The bag was later found to contain 5,600 yaba tablets.

Later in the day, BGB recovered 16,000 yaba pills hidden under the air filter of an abandoned motorcycle at the Sonarpara Raju Khal checkpost. The trafficker managed to flee.

Lt Colonel SM Khairul Alam, commander of the BGB battalion in Cox’s Bazar, confirmed that anti-narcotics patrols will remain active in border zones to curb drug trafficking and smuggling.

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