Mohammad Khorshed Helali Cox’s Bazar: A shootout between the Coast Guard and drug traffickers took place in the coastal area of Teknaf. One person was shot during the shootout. Three drug traffickers were arrested along with 30,000 yaba, a foreign pistol, and 4 rounds of live ammunition.
On Monday (May 19), around 4:30 am, a shootout occurred between the Coast Guard and drug traffickers in the areas adjacent to Tulatuli and Marine Drive in Teknaf Sadar Union, said Bangladesh Coast Guard Media Officer Lieutenant Commander Harun-or-Rashid.
The three arrested are – Md. Elias (30), Nur Mohammad (61), residents of Ukhia Kutupalong Rohingya Camp, and the injured Abdul Shakkur (40). The bullet-injured Shukkur is being treated at Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital.
Lieutenant Commander Harun-or-Rashid said that a large consignment of drugs from Myanmar will enter Teknaf through the coastal area by sea. On such news, a special team of Shahparir Dwip Coast Guard conducted an operation in the area adjacent to Tulatali Naughat in Teknaf Sadar Union early Monday morning. There is a 58-day ban on fishing in the sea. In the meantime, Coast Guard members saw a boat. When the engine-powered wooden boat was given a signal to stop if it was suspicious, the smugglers, sensing the presence of the Coast Guard, increased the speed of the boat and tried to escape. At this time, the Coast Guard members returned fire in self-defense. A smuggler named Abdul Shukkur (40) was shot. The Coast Guard members chased the boat for an hour and were able to seize it. At this time, it was not possible to arrest them as 4 drug smugglers jumped into the sea and escaped. The shot Yaba smuggler was first sent to Teknaf and then to Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital for treatment.
He said that after searching the boat, 3 drug smugglers were arrested along with a 9 mm. M. foreign pistol, 4 rounds of live ammunition and 30,000 Yaba. Legal action against the arrested Yaba smugglers along with all the seized evidence is under process.
Teknaf Upazila Health Complex Emergency Department Doctor Riyad Saeed Chowdhury said that at around 5:30 am on Monday, Coast Guard members brought a person named Abdus Shukkur (35) to the hospital with a gunshot wound to the back. He was quickly treated and referred to Cox’s Bazar Sadar Hospital for advanced treatment. However, his condition is critical. Gu
Lieutenant Commander Harun-or-Rashid also said that the Bangladesh Coast Guard has been patrolling 24 hours to maintain the law and order situation in the country. Through which the law and order situation and prevention of drug trafficking in the coastal and riverine areas under the jurisdiction of the Coast Guard have improved to a great extent. Such operations will be continued by the Coast Guard in the future to prevent drug trafficking.
