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The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has seized smuggled goods, drugs and other illegal items worth Tk830.48 crore in operations along the country’s northeastern border over the past eight months.
The seizures were made by four sectors under the BGB’s Sarail Region—Sylhet, Sreemangal, Cumilla and Mymensingh—between January 1 and August 10. The force also recovered firearms, ammunition and explosives during the period.
The figures were disclosed at a media briefing organised by the Sreemangal Battalion (46 BGB) on Monday. Lieutenant Colonel Sarker Asif Mahmud, commander of the battalion, briefed reporters on the operations.
According to the BGB, its Sarail Region covers 1,204 kilometres of border, where 13 units operate 221 Border Outposts (BOPs) under four sectors. Regular patrols and special operations are conducted to prevent smuggling and the trafficking of drugs, weapons and other illegal goods.
During the eight-month period, BGB personnel recovered illegal drugs and other contraband worth Tk830,48,89,477 through regular patrols and intelligence-led operations.
The force also stepped up operations against arms trafficking. Recent raids resulted in the recovery of four pistols, six airguns, five pipe guns, one single-shot gun, 40 rounds of ammunition, 18.33kg of high explosives, 117 detonators and 30 metres of detonator wire.
The BGB has also intensified efforts to protect natural resources, conducting joint operations with local authorities against illegal extraction of sand and stone.
Surveillance has been strengthened in areas including Kanaighat, Gowainghat, Companiganj, Jaintapur, the Piyain River, Ballaghat and Jaflong in Sylhet, where illegal stone and sand extraction has been reported.
During the period, BGB units under the Sarail Region seized 2,121 cubic feet of illegally extracted sand and 7,465 cubic feet of stone.
Beyond border security, the force has also remained involved in disaster response, including rescue operations and relief distribution during floods and cyclones.
In remote and haor areas, BGB personnel have taken initiatives to deliver food and relief supplies to stranded residents, including using drones in some flood-hit locations.
Lieutenant Colonel Sarker Asif Mahmud said the BGB remained committed to maintaining peace and security along the border, preventing smuggling and arms trafficking, protecting natural resources and contributing to a drug-free society.
He added that the force would continue working with local authorities to maintain law and order and support people affected by natural disasters.