Forest Department arrests eight with 100kg of snails. Photo : BSS

SATKHIRA, Dec 4, 2025 (BSS) - Members of the Forest Department have arrested eight people with 100 kg of snails and oysters during a special drive in the canals and char areas under the Satkhira Range of the Sundarbans.

The detainees were held yesterday evening along with four boats and various equipment from the Kanchir Canal area under Kobadak Station, said Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) of the Sundarbans Satkhira Range Md. Fazlul Haque.

The arrestees were identified as Abdul Wadud Gazi, 40, son of Wazed Bali Gazi; Khalil Sana, 59, son of late Hajir Uddin Sana; Shafiqul Gazi, 45, son of Abu Taleb Gazi; Delbar Gazi, 57, son of late Sabed Ali Gazi; Golam Mustafa, 35, son of late Abu Bakkar Gazi; Abu Said Gazi, 55, son of late Sabed Ali Gazi; Gaffar Gazi, 51, son of late Arshad Gazi; and Masum Billah, 34, son of Shamsur Sana - all from Koyra upazila of Khulna district.

According to the Forest Department, the group had been collecting snails and oysters from the Kanchir Canal area for illegal storage and smuggling abroad. 

Acting on a tip-off, a team conducted the raid and arrested them on the spot.

ACF Fazlul Haque said catching, transporting, and trading snails and oysters listed in Schedule-2 of the Wildlife (Conservation and Security) Act, 2012 is strictly prohibited.

A case under the Forest Act has been filed against the arrestees and they were sent to court today. 
The seized snails and oysters were released into the river.

As a part of regular drive, in recent operations, the Forest Department seized 690 kg of snails and oysters on September 7, 860 kg on November 27, and 600 kg on December 3 from the same area and released them into the rivers of the Sundarbans.