CHATTOGRAM, Feb 26, 2026 (BSS) - The Sitakunda upazila administration has detained 13 people and seized nine dredgers on charges of illegally extracting sand from the seashore under the upazila in the district. 

During the drive, sand extraction from the coast and the filling of agricultural land through pipelines were immediately halted.

Assistant Commissioner (Land) Abdullah Al Mamun conducted the operation today at Syedpur Union of Sitakunda upazila.

He said although the Chittagong Port Authority permits limited sand extraction from designated coastal areas, there is no approval for extracting sand from within the sea. Several companies were allegedly violating port conditions and carrying out illegal sand extraction, he said.

Upazila Nirbahi Officer Fakhrul Islam said the sand extraction and land-filling activities were stopped on-site. 

Such drives against illegal sand extraction will continue, he added.