BM Report:

A team from the Bangladesh Coast Guard’s western zone arrested coal smugglers from two commercial ships on Sunday.

The coal carrier MV Al Ratna was moving approximately 650 tonnes of coal from Harbaria to Nawapara in Jessore district, with a route at Batiaghata in Khulna district. It was trying to sell coal to another vessel, MV Tanjila-2.

Coast Guard Headquarters media officer, Lt. Commander Khandaker Munif Taqi, gave this information.

“Based on secret information, a special operation was conducted in the Batiaghata area of Khulna district under the leadership of Lieutenant Sabbir Ahmed by BCG Base Mongla under Coast Guard West Zone,” said BCG media officer Taqi.

He also said, “During the illegal sale of approximately 60 tonnes of coal with the connivance of the master and crew of Tanjila-2, a total of 37 people, including the staff and workers of the two ships, were arrested on the spot by the Coast Guard.”

Both ships were brought to BCG Base Mongla. The master and engineer of the ship Al Ratna, sensing the presence of the coast guard, jumped into the river in the dark of night and escaped.

Detained ships and persons were searched; cash (one lakh) and drug paraphernalia were found from them for the illegal purchase of coal.

BCG claimed that three persons were involved in an illegal deal of coal. Further legal proceedings against the master and engineer of the Al Ratna ship are ongoing.

Apart from this, a total of 34 people, including the seized ships, coal, and the rest of the staff and workers of the seized ships, were handed over to the owners.