DHAKA, April 23, 2025 (BSS) - Bangladesh Coast Guard plays an important role in maintaining security and law and order, preventing smuggling, conserving forest resources, protecting fisheries resources and providing humanitarian assistance during natural disasters in the coastal and riverine areas of the country.

Coast Guard West Zone Mongla Media Officer Lieutenant Commander Siam-ul-Haq said this at a press conference today.

The Coast Guard has become a symbol of public trust, especially in conserving the biodiversity of the Sundarbans, eliminating pirates and forest robbers, providing security to fishermen and preventing illegal activities on waterways, he said.

Siam-ul-Haq said that the Coast Guard West Zone has been making an important contribution to the country through various activities after August 5, 2024. 

Notable activities among those are: handing over 95 Indian fishermen who crossed the International Maritime Boundary Line (IMBL) along with 6 boats through a flag meeting on the Bangladesh-India sea border on January 5 and returning 90 other Bangladeshi fishermen along with 2 boats to their families.

It was informed at the press conference that 85 terrorists and robbers were arrested along with 90 firearms, 390 rounds of bullets, more than 10 bombs and cocktails during the operation to combat terrorism. 

More than 5,000 pieces of Yaba, 24 kg of marijuana, and more than 200 foreign liquor, whiskey and beer were seized during the anti drug operations.

Besides, 20 deer poachers were arrested along with 81,000 Indian biris (thin cigarette), 635 pieces of Sundarbans wood, 600 kg of deer meat, eight deer skins and more than 200 traps to prevent smuggling.