Dhaka: Authorities have sealed several sea and river routes to stop smuggling of subsidized fuel, fertilizers and cooking oil to neighboring India and Myanmar, the junior home minister said Tuesday.

The rampant smuggling had caused shortages and higher prices for the goods in Bangladesh, Lutfozzaman Babar told reporters.

To stop the illicit trade, he said the navy and coast guard had stepped up patrols in coastal waters and along rivers. Police are also trying enlist the help of residents of border villages, he said.

“We have identified 13 sea and river routes of smuggling,” Babar said. “Local administrators have been asked to involve locals in the anti-smuggling drive. They should hold meetings with villagers and traders every week to motivate people.”

Border guards have been unable to stop smuggling along Bangladesh’s 4,300-kilometer (2,670-mile) border with India and Myanmar, an porous frontier intersected by rivers and forested hills.

Bangladesh imports crude oil, edible oil and fertilizers and sells them at cheaper prices to farmers for use in agriculture.

However, the oil is being smuggled to India, where it costs more and is in great demand during winter for heating. There also is a lucrative market in border districts of India and Myanmar for soybean oil and fertilizers.

Authorities say smuggling was the main reason for the shortages and high prices of these commodities in Bangladesh.