CHATTOGRAM, Feb 20, 2026 (BSS) - The Bangladesh Navy arrested 19 alleged smugglers and seized 1,140 sacks of cement from two engine-powered boats during anti-smuggling drives near Saint Martin's Island in the Bay of Bengal on Thursday. According to an ISPR release issued today, the Navy intensified patrols around Saint Martin's Island and adjacent maritime areas following reports of plans to smuggle cement to Myanmar by sea, evading government taxes. During a routine patrol by Navy ship Prottasha, the watch team spotted a suspicious vessel about 38 miles from the Saint Martin's lighthouse. Upon searching the vessel, Navy personnel recovered 450 sacks of cement, 250 sacks of pulses and chickpeas, 160 kilograms of ginger, and 360 bottles of energy drinks. The seized goods and the detainees were later handed over to the Navy's forward base on Saint Martin's Island for further legal action.

Source: Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha February 20, 2026 18:21 UTC