By Hafizur Rahman
June 27, 2026
The Bangladesh Navy has seized two fishing boats carrying 1,450 bags of cement that were reportedly being smuggled to Maungdaw Township in northern Rakhine State. A total of 21 people were also detained during the operation.
The boats were stopped early on June 26 while the Navy was patrolling the Bay of Bengal, about 13 miles from St. Martin’s Island.
The two wooden fishing boats, named FB Fatema Hosna and FB Nijhu Rabbi, were fitted with local engines and were allegedly heading toward Maungdaw with the cement.
During the search, officers found 650 bags of Diamond cement and 10 people on board FB Fatema Hosna. On FB Nijhu Rabbi, they found another 800 bags of cement along with 11 people.
In total, the Navy seized 1,450 bags of Diamond cement and detained all 21 people for their suspected involvement in the smuggling operation. The case is expected to be handled under the relevant laws.
