Five local leaders and activists of BNP and Bangladesh Jamaat-e-Islami have been taken into custody in Mirpur upazila of Kushtia after they allegedly attempted to secure the release of a suspected drug dealer.

According to police, the incident took place on Saturday night when a team, led by Sub-Inspector Rakibul Islam of Amla Police Camp under Mirpur Police Station, conducted a drive in the Technical College Road area of Sadarpur union.

During the raid, police allegedly caught Rabiul, son of Ramjan Ali of Naoda Azampur village, red-handed with eight Yaba tablets around 8:30pm.

Following his arrest, Rabiul was taken to Mirpur Police Station, where a case was filed against him under the Narcotics Control Act.

Police said news of the arrest spread quickly in the area, and around 10:00pm, five local political activists arrived at the police station allegedly seeking Rabiul’s release.

They are Enamul Haque, Member from ward No. 6 of Sadarpur Union Parishad and a BNP leader, along with Jamaat activists Sujan Ali, Alauddin, Shafiqul Islam and Saiful Islam.

According to law enforcement officials, the group repeatedly pressured on-duty officers to release the drug suspect. Despite being warned several times, they allegedly continued their efforts, prompting police – on instructions from senior officials – to detain all five.

Police said legal action against the detainees will be decided following consultations with higher authorities.

As of Sunday morning, the five political activists and the arrested drug suspect remained in police custody.

Officer-in-Charge Mohammad Shahidul Islam said district police remain firm in implementing the government’s zero-tolerance policy on narcotics.