Police in Lakshmipur have recovered a significant quantity of illegally stored diesel from a canal in Ramgati Upazila, officials confirmed on Wednesday.
According to Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Ramgati Police Station Liton Dewan, acting on a tip-off, a team of the law enforcers conducted a drive in Asal Para area of Ramgati Municipality early Wednesday.
During the raid, police discovered eight plastic drums submerged in the canal, apparently hidden to evade detection. With the help of local workers, the drums were retrieved at around 12:20am. Each drum was found to contain approximately 170 litres of diesel, bringing the total recovered fuel to 1,360 litres.
The estimated market value of the seized diesel is around Tk1,36,000.
Authorities suspect that the fuel had been stockpiled to create an artificial shortage in the market and sell at inflated prices. The alleged smugglers, however, fled the scene before police could apprehend them.
The recovered diesel has been secured at the Ramgati Police Station. Law enforcement officials said investigations are ongoing to identify and arrest those involved.
OC Liton Dewan stressed, “Our drive to dismantle this network of unscrupulous traders will continue until all culprits are brought to justice.”
