Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) recovered a large quantity of yaba pills in separate drives in Teknaf and Ramu of Cox’s Bazar in a single day, officials said.

A total of 1,059,400 yaba tablets were seized, with an estimated market value of Tk 31.78 crore.

On Saturday (April 11, 2026), members of BGB-64 Battalion conducted an operation in the Hnila area of Teknaf and recovered 859,400 yaba tablets, valued at approximately Tk 25.78 crore.

Commanding Officer of BGB-64 Ukhiya Battalion Lt Col Zahirul Islam said around two weeks ago, BGB received intel reports that a large consignment of yaba would enter Bangladesh through the Hnila route.

Based on the information, surveillance, technology-based monitoring, and patrol activities were intensified along the border.

He said that around 3:00am today (Saturday), suspicious movement was detected near the Naf River through radar. Later, thermal imaging confirmed that a group of smugglers was attempting to enter Bangladesh by swimming across the river. A special patrol team took position at the embankment area.

Sensing the presence of BGB, the smugglers fled by jumping into the Naf river and swimming back into Myanmar, leaving behind the drugs. A search operation later led to the recovery of the yaba tablets from 13 sacks.

In a separate drive the same day, BGB-30 Battalion recovered another 200,000 yaba tablets from Tulabagan area under Khuniapalong union in Ramu upazila.

BGB officials said legal actions are underway regarding the seized drugs, and efforts are ongoing to identify those involved, in coordination with other law enforcement agencies.