Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has foiled an attempt to smuggle a large consignment of drugs in Teknaf and seied 200,000 pieces of contraband yaba tablets during an anti-narcotics operation along the Naf River border on early Saturday.

BGB had secret information that a large shipment of yaba would enter Bangladesh from Myanmar’s Maungdaw area through the Ashikaniya area, about one kilometre northeast of BRM-5 under the jurisdiction of Sabrang BOP.

Based on the information,  BGB Teknaf Battalion (2 BGB) Commanding officer (CO) Lt Col Ashikur Rahman directed a special operation in the area.

Following the order, a BGB operational team took positions in the Dakat’s Goda area of Sabrang and the adjacent area Naf River at around 4:30 am in the early Saturday morning. Using thermal cameras, four persons were spotted approaching Bangladesh by boat across the Naf River during the time.

As BGB teams moved forward by boat to intercept them, the suspects sensed the presence of BGB and the sound of the vessel, and fled back into Myanmar to avoid arrest.

Later, during a search operation in the area, BGB recovered four floating polythene bags from the river containing a total of 200,000 yaba tablets, specially wrapped.

Efforts are continuing to identify and arrest those involved in the smuggling attempt.

Speaking on the incident, Lieutenant Colonel Ashikur Rahman said BGB has been performing its duties with the highest professionalism and dedication to protect state sovereignty and ensure public safety in border areas.

He added that BGB’s strong and effective role in preventing cross-border crimes, including human and drug trafficking, will continue in the future.

The seized drugs will be handed over to Teknaf Model Police Station following completion of legal procedures, he added.