The truck carrying the fertiliser was also seized and its driver, helper and a fertiliser trader were arrested.

Lokman Ahmed, owner of Time Traders, a leading fertiliser dealer in Fenchuganj, lifted 84 tonnes of urea on January 14. As per rule, he informed local UNO.

The UNO went to his godown at Palbari area for a spot visit.

Seeing a truck loaded with the said fertiliser standing in front of the godown, the UNO asked about its destination.

The dealer's men informed him that the truck would go to Sadia Traders at Biswanath upazila in Sylhet district but the chalan (documents) showed that the fertilizer was to be dispatched to Govindaganj in Chhatak

upazila of Sunamganj district.

Finding the irregularity and suspecting smuggling, the UNO seized the truck.

He also sealed the godown of Time Traders as the total quantity of the lifted fertilizer was not found there.

Only 33.8 tonnes (676 bags) of fertiliser were found against the total lifted quantity of 84 tonnes (1680) bags.

Employees of Time Traders failed to give satisfactory reply to the UNO's questions.

The 'missing' 50 tonnes of fertiliser had been sold in the black market, it was apprehended.

But no action was taken against the fertiliser dealer.

Police immediately arrested the truck driver Shamim, helper Sohel Rana and transport trader Sankar Saha.

On information, Sylhet Deputy Commissioner Jamal Hossain Majumder visited the godown. The arrestees were sent to the jail from Magistrate court.