CHATTOGRAM, Feb 20, 2026 (BSS) - The Bangladesh Navy arrested 19 alleged smugglers and seized 1,140 sacks of cement from two engine-powered boats during anti-smuggling drives near Saint Martin's Island in the Bay of Bengal on Thursday.

According to an ISPR release issued today, the Navy intensified patrols around Saint Martin's Island and adjacent maritime areas following reports of plans to smuggle cement to Myanmar by sea, evading government taxes.

During a routine patrol by Navy ship Prottasha, the watch team spotted a suspicious vessel about 38 miles from the Saint Martin's lighthouse. The boat, identified as FB Shimanto, attempted to flee after receiving a signal from the naval ship but was later intercepted.

Upon searching the vessel, Navy personnel recovered 450 sacks of cement, 250 sacks of pulses and chickpeas, 160 kilograms of ginger, and 360 bottles of energy drinks.

In a separate drive, the patrol team detained another fishing boat, FB Surovi, and seized an additional 700 sacks of cement. Altogether, 19 members of the alleged smuggling group were arrested.

The release said the cement was being smuggled to Myanmar for higher profits. The seized goods and the detainees were later handed over to the Navy's forward base on Saint Martin's Island for further legal action.