(BSS) - Bangladesh Coast Guard (BCG) in a drive has seized around three tonnes of smuggled mineral coal and two wooden boats from

the city`s Patenga area.

No one was arrested as the smugglers managed to flee the scene before the law enforcers arrived, Coast Guard East Zone shared this information today through a press release.

Earlier on Tuesday noon, the drive was conducted at the No. 15 Ghat area under Patenga Police Station.

Lieutenant Commander (Media) Suman Al Mukit of Coast Guard East Zone said the two wooden boats were intercepted based on a tip-off. Sensing the presence of the operational team, the individuals on board quickly fled into hiding.

Subsequent searches of the two vessels yielded approximately three tonnes of mineral coal, with an estimated market value of around Taka 5 lakh 10 thousand, he added.

The Coast Guard stated that legal proceedings are currently underway regarding the seized coal and the boats used in the smuggling.

Mukit said the Coast Guard`s regular operations will continue to prevent smuggling activities across the coastal areas.