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Published : 27 Mar 2026, 07:18 PM
The government has formed specialised vigilance teams across all districts to curb the illegal fuel trade, following a major raid in Chattogram that led to the recovery of 6,000 litres of illegally stored diesel.
The power ministry announced the initiative in a media statement on Friday, emphasising a zero-tolerance policy against fuel smuggling and hoarding.
The Chattogram recovery comes in a special drive conducted by district administration at Commissioner Ghat in Patenga at 10:45am on Friday.
The operation, led by Executive Magistrate Subrato Halder, resulted in the seizure of diesel stored in 30 drums.
Members of the Bangladesh Petroleum Corporation (BPC) and police participated in the joint mission.
The raid, however, came with no arrest.
The confiscated fuel is currently in police custody, and a case is being filed under the Special Powers Act, 1974.
Preliminary investigations revealed that a dishonest syndicate illegally syphons fuel during transit from seagoing vessels and oil depots, the ministry said.
This stolen fuel is then supplied to different local retailers, disrupting the formal supply chain, it added.
"The administration is maintaining a strict stance to ensure discipline in the energy sector and to keep the fuel supply stable," the ministry said.
The ministry has published a list of vigilance teams and contact numbers for all 64 districts.
In most regions, the additional district magistrate has been appointed as the convenor of these teams. In other areas, the responsibility has been assigned to the additional deputy commissioners.
Officials believe these teams will allow the administration to receive complaints regarding illegal hoarding and transport more rapidly, enabling immediate coordinated raids at the local level.
