The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has intensified special anti-smuggling operations along various border areas of Sylhet. Over the past three months, the Sylhet Battalion (48 BGB) has seized Indian contraband and other goods worth more than Tk 570 million from border areas under its jurisdiction.
Eight people were arrested during the operations on suspicion of involvement in smuggling. The seized items include more than 10,000 bottles of Indian liquor and 2,260 cattle, including cows and buffaloes.
The information was disclosed by Lt Col Md Nazmul Haque, commander of the 48 BGB Battalion, at a press briefing held at the battalion headquarters in Sylhet at around 11:30am on Sunday (August 16).
At the briefing, Lt Col Haque said changing smuggling routes and preventing mob attacks had emerged as major challenges along the border.
He said that after BGB personnel seized trucks allegedly involved in illegal stone extraction, a group of people formed a mob, attacked law enforcement personnel and took the trucks back. The group also blocked the Sylhet-Tamabil road, causing significant public suffering.
“Many people are trying to legitimise illegal goods and activities by creating mobs,” Lt Col Haque said. “As a result, law enforcement personnel are being attacked, while ordinary people are also suffering. Tackling such situations has become a major challenge for the BGB.”
According to BGB sources, more than Tk 570 million worth of Indian contraband was seized during special operations along the Sylhet border over the past three months. The seizures included more than 10,000 bottles of Indian liquor and 2,260 cows and buffaloes. Eight people were detained in connection with the smuggling activities.
As part of the ongoing crackdown, the 48 BGB conducted special operations on Saturday (August 15) and Sunday (August 16) in border areas of Companiganj, Gowainghat and Jaintapur upazilas of Sylhet district.
During the two-day operations, BGB seized large quantities of illegally imported Indian cumin, tea leaves, fuchka, sarees, blankets, liquor and various cosmetic products. The estimated seizure value of the goods was Tk 25 million.
However, BGB said no one could be arrested in connection with the two-day operations as the seized goods were found abandoned.
Lt Col Md Nazmul Haque said the BGB was continuing both regular operations and intelligence activities to ensure border security and prevent smuggling and drug trafficking.
“As part of these efforts, special operations are being conducted in various border areas, resulting in the seizure of large quantities of illegal goods,” he said.
He added that intelligence operations and anti-smuggling drives would continue comprehensively in the future to prevent smuggling and other illegal activities along the border. Necessary legal measures would be taken regarding the seized contraband in accordance with government regulations.
