Bangladesh Coast Guard (BCG) of Teknaf and St. Martin stations conducted a jointdrive in PaschimparaGhatand its adjacent areasin Shahpari Island under Teknafupazilaof Cox’s Bazar and seized about 2.8 lakh pieces of contraband Yabapill on early Tuesday.
Lt Commander AmirulHaque, a Media Officer at the Bangladesh Coast Guard headquarters informed the matter to the media on Tuesday noon.
The BCG official said that it was learnt based on secret information that Yaba pills would be smuggled from Myanmar to Bangladesh through sea via the areas adjacent to Shahpari Island in Teknaf at midnight. Based on the information, the operation was led by Lt M SalehAkram, Commander of BCG Station Teknaf. During the operation, three men were seen moving with sacks in the area around 2.30am. As their movements seemed suspicious, they wereasked to stop by BCG members. Sensing the presence of Coast Guard members, they dropped two blue sacks and fled the scene.
Later, 279,600 Yaba tablets were found after searching those two sacks. The seized Yaba tablets were handed over to Teknaf Model Police Station.
Lt Commander AmirulHaque further said that Bangladesh Coast Guard adopted zero tolerance policy to maintain law and order in the areas to ensure public safety as well as prevent piracy, robbery and drug peddling. Regular operations by BCG men are being conducted. Such drives will be continued in future as well, he added.
