A private car carrying a large quantity of copper pipes allegedly being smuggled out of the Matarbari Coal-Fired Power Plant was seized by local residents in Maheshkhali on Sunday night.
The vehicle was intercepted at Chaliatali Balur Dail Station in Kalarmarchhara Union, a gateway to Maheshkhali. Following the incident, police from the Kalarmarchhara camp, led by Officer-in-Charge Raju Ahmed Gazi, took the vehicle and the seized materials into police custody, according to police.
Maheshkhali police said a case has been filed under the relevant laws. Sources estimated the value of the seized copper pipes and the vehicle at around Tk 450,000.
The Matarbari power project is protected by multiple security agencies, including the Coast Guard, police and Ansar. Despite the security arrangements, locals alleged that copper cables, pipes and other valuable equipment have regularly been smuggled out of the project.
Concerned residents questioned how valuable materials could be removed from a heavily secured government project and alleged that a broader syndicate may be involved. These allegations have not been independently verified.
Residents have urged the authorities to identify those involved in the alleged smuggling network and bring them to justice.
Maheshkhali Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Abdus Sultan said a case had been filed over the seized vehicle and materials and that legal action would be taken after identifying those involved.
