Staff Correspondent
In a major operation, RAB-11 has recovered approximately 40,000 cubic feet of valuable white stones looted from Bholaganj in Companiganj upazila, Sylhet. The stones were seized during a covert raid at seven illegal stone depots along the Shitalakshya River in Sarulia, Demra, Dhaka. However, no arrests were made during the operation.
Acting on intelligence, RAB-11, with support from the Narayanganj district administration and the Department of Environment, conducted the raid on Thursday evening (August 14). Sources revealed that the stolen stones were being transported to the Kanchpur Bridge area in Narayanganj before being hidden under layers of sand. Lt. Col. HM Sazzad Hossain, commanding officer of RAB-11, stated that nearly 200,000 cubic feet of white stones and 600,000 cubic feet of sand—worth around Tk 500 crore—have been looted from Bholaganj recently, destined for local markets and crushing plants.
While depot workers fled during the raid, RAB is compiling a list of owners and suspects involved in the illegal trade. Legal action will be taken against those identified, officials confirmed. The recovery marks a significant blow to the smuggling network exploiting Sylhet’s natural resources.