Despite adequate fertiliser supplies in the country, shortages have been reported in several areas, with allegations that a portion of imported and locally produced fertiliser is being smuggled to Myanmar through Bay of Bengal routes.The Bangladesh Coast Guard has launched a special operation, “Operation Fertiliser Protection,” to curb the smuggling.Sources said the price of a 50kg bag of urea is Tk 1,250 at dealer level and Tk 1,350 for farmers in Bangladesh, while the same quantity reportedly sells for around Tk 9,000 in Myanmar. The large price gap is encouraging smugglers.According to Coast Guard sources, organised groups have been smuggling fertiliser for about two months using fishing boats and wooden vessels from coastal areas of Chattogram and Cox’s Bazar.Between July 1 and September 25, the Coast Guard seized 255 tonnes of fertiliser and arrested 95 suspected smugglers in 15 cases.The Coast Guard has increased surveillance at coastal routes, including Teknaf, Ukhiya, Maheshkhali, Kutubdia, Sitakunda and Mirsarai, and is conducting searches based on intelligence.On September 25, the Coast Guard seized 960 bags of urea, along with four trucks and a fishing boat, at Ichhakhali Ghat in Mirsarai.Mahbubul Alam Khan, general secretary of the Bangladesh Fertiliser Association's Chattogram unit, said smugglers can make more than Tk 7,000 profit on a single bag by selling it in Myanmar. Agriculture officials warned that continued smuggling could worsen fertiliser shortages and eventually affect crop production and prices of essential commodities. The agriculture department said monitoring of dealer warehouses and coordination with other agencies have been strengthened.