DHAKA, June 26, 2026 (BSS) - The Bangladesh Coast Guard arrested 15 people and seized two dredgers and three bulkheads during a special drive against illegal sand extraction in the Tentulia River in Bhola district.

On a tip-off, the operation was conducted by Coast Guard Base Bhola at around 7:00 am on Thursday in the river near Hasher Char under Borhanuddin upazila, according to a Coast Guard press release issued on Thursday night. 

The Coast Guard said the suspects were caught red-handed while illegally extracting sand from the river.

The seized vessels include two dredgers, MV Jihad-2 and La Ilaha Illallah, and three bulkheads-MV Al Madina, MV Arabi and MV Labbayek.

Later, in the presence of the Bhola Sadar Executive Magistrate, a mobile court sentenced all 15 detainees to 30 days' simple imprisonment. 

The convicted individuals, who hail from various upazilas across Narayanganj, Barishal and Bhola districts are: Md. Swapan, 48, Md. Jahangir Alam, 22, Md. Mehdi Hasan, 24, Md. Al-Amin, 26, Md. Russell, 32, Md. Abdul Based, 50, Md. Sumon, 20, Md. Noman, 19, Md. Jasim Hawlader, 40, Md. Kabir Hossain, 35, Md. Mofizul, 56, Md. Ismail, 35, Md. Riyad, 20, Md. Alamgir, 40, and another Md. Russell, 25. 

The Coast Guard said legal procedures are underway regarding the confiscated dredgers and bulkheads.

Lieutenant Md Salman Bin Shawkat, media officer of the Bangladesh Coast Guard South Zone, said the force would continue such drives to protect agricultural land and residential areas from the adverse impacts of illegal sand extraction.