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Police and local administration have seized 530 sacks of cement and two trucks during separate operations in Banshkhali while the consignments were allegedly being prepared for smuggling to Myanmar by sea and river routes.
Two people allegedly involved in the smuggling operation were arrested, police said.
The operations were conducted late Wednesday night in Khudukkhali under Chhanua Union and at Chowdhury Ghat in Khan Khanabad Union.
In Khudukkhali, officials from the upazila administration and police, assisted by village police, searched a warehouse at the residences of local residents Jahangir Alam and Nurul Kabir.
They recovered 496 sacks of Diamond Cement from the premises. Those allegedly involved fled the scene during the operation.
Separately, local residents reportedly began monitoring Chowdhury Ghat after receiving information that cement was being transported by trawler along the river route. Police were alerted through the national emergency service 999 around midnight.
Following an overnight operation, police seized two trucks carrying 34 sacks of cement from the area and arrested two people allegedly linked to the operation.
Banshkhali Police Station Officer-in-Charge Robiul Haque said 496 sacks were recovered from Chhanua and another 34 sacks, along with two trucks, were seized from Chowdhury Ghat.
“Two members of the smuggling ring have been arrested, and efforts are underway to identify and apprehend the others,” he said.