The Bangladesh Coast Guard arrested 16 fishermen and confiscated an illegal trawling boat along with 12 trawl nets worth around BDT 30 million near Cheradip, St. Martin’s island, officials said.

Lieutenant Commander Siam-ul-Haq, the Coast Guard’s media officer, confirmed the operation on Wednesday morning.

Based on a tip-off, the Coast Guard vessel “Shobuj Bangla” conducted a special raid around 1:00 a.m. on Tuesday in the southwest waters adjacent to Cheradip. The team seized the illegal trawling boat during the operation.

A subsequent search of the vessel recovered 12 trawl nets valued at approximately BDT 30 million. Sixteen fishermen on board were taken into custody.

The boat, nets, and detainees have been handed over to Teknaf police for legal proceedings.