273 people detained while illegally going to Malaysia near St. Martin

The Bangladesh Navy has detained 273 people, including women, men and children, while trying to reach Malaysia illegally using the sea route. A navy patrol ship detained them in Bangladeshi waters in the Bay of Bengal, 8 nautical miles away from St. Martin Island in Teknaf Upazila of Cox’s Bazar early this Sunday (January 4).
This information was confirmed in a press release issued by the Navy’s Media Wing at noon. The release said that the Bangladesh Navy ship ‘Banouja Swadhinata’, which is patrolling in the Bay of Bengal, conducted a raid in the sea area adjacent to St. Martin Island since Saturday night based on secret information. The Bangladesh Navy ship ‘Banouja Swadhinata’ noticed suspicious movements of a wooden boat located 30 miles southwest of St. Martin.
When the navy ship signaled the boat to stop, the boat increased its speed and tried to escape. The Navy ship immediately chased the boat and intercepted it this morning. At that time, 273 people, including 10 members of the broker gang on board, were arrested.
During initial interrogation, the Navy members learned that the detained persons had illegally left for Malaysia. The timely and effective action of the Navy has made it possible to prevent a possible large-scale human trafficking operation. The intercepted boat and persons have been handed over to Teknaf Police Station for further legal action.