Authorities in Sherpur have seized 33 tonnes of rice allegedly diverted from the government`s Food-Friendly Programme and detained a warehouse owner during a late-night operation.
The raid was carried out at a rice warehouse in the Chapatali area of Sherpur town following a tip-off about the suspected stockpile of subsidised rice intended for low-income beneficiaries.
The operation was led by Sadar Upazila Assistant Commissioner (Land) and Executive Magistrate Md Mahmudul Hasan, with support from law enforcement agencies.
During the drive, officials recovered hundreds of sacks of rice bearing markings indicating distribution under the Food-Friendly Programme for June 2026.
The seized stock included both 50kg and 30kg sacks, with the total quantity estimated at 33 tonnes.
Authorities said the warehouse owner, Md Borhan Uddin, was unable to provide a satisfactory explanation regarding how the rice came into his possession when questioned during the operation.
Following the raid, the mobile court confiscated the rice and took Borhan Uddin into custody.
Police said legal proceedings are being initiated in connection with the incident.
A regular case will be filed to investigate how the government-supplied rice allegedly ended up in private storage.
The Food-Friendly Programme is a government initiative aimed at providing subsidised rice to low-income families, and authorities have been conducting monitoring drives to prevent misuse and illegal diversion of the allocated food grains.
Officials said further investigation is underway to identify whether others were involved in the alleged irregularities.
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