Drone seized from launch in Sundarbans

Forest officials seized a drone from a launch carrying 12 foreign nationals in Dublar Char area of the Sundarbans on Tuesday noon.

“The process is on to bring the drone to Bagerhat. We have informed Bagerhat superintendent of police of the matter,” Mahmudul Hasan, divisional forest officer of the Sundarbans (East), said yesterday.

A case will be filed with Sharonkhola Police Station against Mavana Tours, a company that arranged carrying the 12 citizens of Malta of Europe in their launch, he said.

Contacted, Md Nantu, director of Mavana Tours, said, “A Chittagong-based company named Didar Echo Tours arranged the 12 foreigners' visit to the Sundarbans and they were sent there following forest rules.”

“The tourists were asked more than once whether they had anything forbidden.

They said they have nothing except normal cameras. I heard about recovery of the drone after it was caught by forest officials.

“The foreigners took the drone secretly in a bag. They have left Mongla this afternoon,” Nantu said. 

Bagerhat Superintendent of Police Pankaj Chandra Roy said, “The divisional forest officer of the Sundarbans (East) said the drone will be handed over to me tonight. Then I will investigate the matter.”