"Since its inception, the glorious success story of the Bangladesh Coast Guard in the country's coastal and riverine areas."

Daily Bijoy News Teknaf (Cox's Bazar) Correspondent:

Since its inception, the Bangladesh Coast Guard has been playing a vital role in ensuring the security of the country's vast coastal and riverine areas. By maintaining law and order, protecting lives and property, combating smuggling, drug and human trafficking, as well as providing relief and assistance during natural disasters, the Bangladesh Coast Guard has become a symbol of safety and trust among the people. Under the guidance of the Coast Guard Headquarters and the relentless efforts of the Coast Guard East Zone, the Chittagong Port has now been transformed from a high-risk port to a safe one. The East Zone has been ensuring security through foot patrols in remote areas, coastal surveillance with 13 ships and high-speed boats, and deploying QRF (Quick Reaction Force) and diving teams for emergency responses.

Through intelligence operations and round-the-clock patrols, the East Zone has seized 22,157,444 Yaba pills worth approximately Tk 111.06 crore, 1,151 bottles of foreign liquor, 1,143 cans of beer, 86 bottles of whiskey, 71 bottles of vodka, 50 liters of local liquor, 20 liters of Twin Valley olive oil, 66.1 kg of cannabis, and arrested 78 drug dealers/traffickers. Additionally, they have confiscated 14 locally made firearms, 24 local weapons, 23 live rounds, 9 blank rounds, and arrested 8 notorious terrorists and robbers in the past four months (February to May 2025).

To conserve marine fisheries and boost production, the Coast Guard East Zone conducted special operations, seizing 300 kg of juvenile hilsa (jatka) and 7.5 tons of marine fish. They also intercepted 4 metric tons of fuel oil, 7.8 metric tons of edible oil, 995 liters of paint, and other daily essentials worth Tk 50 lakh, which were being smuggled into the country to evade customs. Additionally, they seized 200 bags (10,000 kg) of prohibited long-grain Thai white rice prepared in Thailand. Meanwhile, while attempting illegal trafficking to Myanmar, they confiscated 2,400 bags of cement, 1,342 bags of urea fertilizer, and a large quantity of electronics and readymade garments worth Tk 30 lakh.

Under the Coast Guard East Zone, various stations and outposts conduct public awareness campaigns, environmental development programs, relief distribution, and free medical services. Continuing this trend, the East Zone organized a week-long workshop in Saint Martin’s Island (May 11–17) for the first time. With participation from the Coast Guard, Teknaf Upazila Administration, Police, BGB, Department of Narcotics Control, Department of Disaster Management, Department of Environment and Forests, and other government and non-government organizations, as well as local islanders, expert trainers provided firefighting drills, disaster preparedness training, anti-drug awareness, coastal cleanliness methods, and pollution prevention measures. Additionally, relief distribution, free medical camps, and tree-planting programs were conducted. These initiatives have been widely appreciated by the public, as they empower the islanders with knowledge on fire safety, disaster response, anti-drug measures, and environmental protection, contributing to the socio-economic development of Saint Martin’s Island.

The Bangladesh Coast Guard East Zone rescued 42 fishermen from the turbulent deep sea after their boats—FB Malek Shah, Mayer Doa, and FB Raisa-1—experienced engine failure. They provided first aid, food, and safely handed them over to the boat owners. To prevent illegal infiltration from Myanmar, human trafficking, smuggling, and drug trafficking in the Naf River, the Coast Guard maintains 24/7 patrols with advanced Metal Shark and Defender-class boats.

Additionally, a fire broke out on the fishing boat "FB Shafiq" anchored near Shahporir Dwip Jetty, but the Coast Guard Outpost Shahporir’s firefighting team successfully controlled the blaze. Due to unskilled and untrained watchmen on foreign commercial ships anchored offshore, incidents of theft and unwanted accidents often occur. In response, at the request of port authorities, the Coast Guard provided a 5-day basic security training to 74 port watchmen for the first time to enhance their skills and responsibility in safeguarding foreign commercial vessels.

Most recently, on May 3, 2025, the BCG Base Chittagong under the Coast Guard East Zone conducted a special operation in the Dogir Khal area of Halishahar, Chittagong, seizing 1,056 cans of Heineken Original Beer, 20 liters of Twin Valley olive oil, and 1,151 bottles of foreign liquor worth approximately Tk 4.15 crore. A GD (General Diary) was filed at the local police station, and the seized items were kept under BCG Base Chittagong’s custody. Later, on May 13, 2025, the Chief Judicial Magistrate of Chittagong ordered the destruction of the confiscated items. Accordingly, on Sunday, May 18, 2015, the seized alcohol and olive oil were destroyed in the presence of the Senior Judicial Magistrate.

The Bangladesh Coast Guard remains vigilant in preventing smuggling in offshore areas. Additionally, to curb petty theft and illegal trade on commercial ships, 24/7 patrols have been intensified in coastal and riverine areas, significantly improving security. Public trust in the Coast Guard—among locals, businesses, and commercial vessels—has grown substantially. To strengthen the blue economy, the Bangladesh Coast Guard maintains constant surveillance over maritime, coastal, and riverine regions. The Coast Guard Media Cell has confirmed that these operations will continue in the future.

Daily Bijoy News / Shamsul Alam Sharek