2,000 sacks of fertiliser seized in sea

According to the Coast Guards sources, acting on a tip off, the Coast Guards on routine patrol near the confluence of the river Meghna and the Bay of Bengal close to Dhalerchar under Hatiya of Noakhali intercepted the trawlers with the sack-loads.

Sensing the arrival of the security forces, the fishermen on board fled jumping into the river leaving behind the trawlers, which contained, in one 1500 and in the other, 500 sacks full of fertiliser.

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The chief of the Coast Guards under Bhola Zone, Shahidul Islam, told this correspondent that two trawlers with the fertilisers had left Lalkhan Bazar from Bhola and reached the deep sea.

The trawlers were later cruised to nearby Tamarddi ghat in Hatiya.

It is also learnt that notorious smuggler from Chittagong, Rashid Mia, is involved in the fertiliser smuggle. It is alleged that Bachuu Patwari, Shahidur and Rafiq Pramukh had helped in the smuggle plans.

When contacted, the Officer in Charge of Hatiya said he knew nothing about the incident.