9 detained over attempted diesel smuggling to Myanmar

Authorities seize 9,000 litres of the fuel from a fishing trawler in Chattogram's Patenga

The Coast Guard has detained nine people and seized 9,000 litres of diesel over an alleged attempt to smuggle the fuel from Chattogram to Myanmar.

The arrests were made on Wednesday night after Coast Guard personnel spotted a suspicious fishing trawler near Jetty No. 15 in the Patenga area.

In a statement issued on Friday, the force said the trawler was searched, leading to the recovery of the diesel.

Those on board were detained on suspicion of smuggling.

According to the Coast Guard, the fuel was being transported illegally to Myanmar while evading customs duties.

Law-enforcing agencies say fishing trawlers are often used to smuggle fuel, cement and other everyday goods from Bangladesh to Myanmar, with drugs such as yaba sometimes brought back in return.