A substantial shipment of Indian sarees and other clothing items was confiscated in Pirojpur during a joint operation conducted by the Bangladesh Coast Guard and local police on the night of October 3. The items were reportedly smuggled into Bangladesh by evading customs duties.

Lieutenant Commander Sabbir Alam Sujon, a media officer for the Coast Guard, stated that the operation was carried out by the Coast Guard Station Patharghata after receiving a tip-off about suspicious activity along the Bishkhali River near South Char Duani, within the jurisdiction of Patharghata Police Station in Barguna district.

During the operation, the Coast Guard signaled a fishing boat to halt, but the vessel attempted to escape. Coordinating with local police, the joint team pursued and finally intercepted the boat at the bank of the Kacha River near the Old Ferry Ghat area in Pirojpur.

Upon search, authorities discovered 22,481 Indian sarees, 50 Indian three-piece outfits, and 50 Indian lehengas aboard the boat, along with the vessel itself. The value of the seized goods is estimated at approximately Tk 68.04 million (6 crore 80 lakh 43 thousand taka). The suspected smugglers abandoned the boat upon interception and fled the scene; no arrests were made.

Following the seizure, the confiscated items and the fishing boat were transferred to Pirojpur Police Station for further investigation and legal proceedings.

Lieutenant Commander Sabbir emphasized that the Coast Guard will continue to conduct similar operations aimed at curbing smuggling activities along Bangladesh’s waterways.