Coast Guard seizes furnace oil in Karnaphuli River, 8 arrested

PNN News Desk. Dhaka

The Coast Guard has seized a large quantity of furnace oil during a special operation in the Karnaphuli River area of Chattogram. Eight people, along with an oil tanker, were arrested.

According to Coast Guard sources, the operation was conducted from 9 PM on Friday (24 April) until late night in the Bridge Ghat area. Acting on secret information, the team arrested them while illegally transferring furnace oil from an oil tanker named “OT Kingfisher-5”.

A total of 1,650 litres of furnace oil were seized during the operation. The oil was being prepared for transfer into plastic containers and loaded onto a small boat (sampan). The tanker involved was also confiscated.

Among those arrested is the ship’s manager, Jasim Uddin. The others are workers onboard the tanker.

During the search, more evidence of stored oil was found. Authorities suspect that the oil was being transferred for illegal storage and distribution.

Coast Guard media officer Lieutenant Commander Sabbir Alam Suman said that legal action is being prepared against the seized oil and arrested individuals. He added that operations against illegal fuel storage and artificial shortages will continue in the future.