CHITTAGONG: Rapid Action Battalion personnel seized some 3,000 cans of foreign beer after trading fire with smugglers at Patenga coast of the bay in the port city on Tuesday night.

RAB sources said the exchange of fire took place at about 11pm at jetty No 15 while the smugglers were unloading the consignment of alcoholic drinks from a trawler.

“On information, a team of RAB 7 took position on the spot at night. Sensing their presence, the smugglers started firing. The RAB men also fired in self-defence,” said Staff Officer of RAB-7 ASP Anirban Chakma.

At one stage of the shootout, the maritime free traders fled the scene, leaving behind the bear-bearing trawler, he added.

A case was filed with Patenga thana.

BDST: 1400, 14 JULY 2010