by RK Desk
Cox’s Bazar — September 20, 2026
The Bangladesh Coast Guard said it detained 10 people, including one person it identified as Rohingya, and seized a boat carrying urea fertilizer, garlic and onions in an alleged smuggling attempt near Saint Martin’s Island on September 19.
According to the Coast Guard, the operation was carried out at around 1:00 a.m. on Saturday in the deep-sea area southeast of Chhera Dwip.
Coast Guard Media Officer Lieutenant Commander Sabbir Alam Sujan said personnel from Coast Guard Station Saint Martin’s launched a special anti-smuggling operation after receiving information about a boat allegedly carrying goods to Myanmar.
The Coast Guard said personnel signalled a suspicious boat to stop, but it allegedly ignored the instruction and attempted to flee.
Coast Guard personnel then chased and intercepted the boat in the deep sea, according to the official account.
A search of the vessel reportedly recovered 240 sacks of urea fertilizer weighing 12,000 kilograms, 190 sacks of garlic weighing 3,800 kilograms and 90 sacks of onions weighing 4,500 kilograms.
The Coast Guard estimated the combined value of the seized goods at approximately Tk 13.70 lakh.
Sujan said 10 people aboard the boat were detained, including one person the Coast Guard identified as Rohingya.
Rohingya Khobor has not independently verified the identities or legal status of the detainees, or the allegation that the goods were being smuggled to Myanmar.
The Coast Guard said legal proceedings concerning the detainees and the seized goods were underway.
