The Department of Narcotics Control (DNC) has arrested two members of an online-based Shisha (a kind of drug) supply ring and seized 18kg of Shisha during a special drive in the capital.

According to DNC, acting on secret information about a network using Facebook and WhatsApp to distribute contraband Shisha across the country, a special team of the Dhaka Divisional Intelligence Unit conducted a covert operation on November 16.

During the operation, DNC officials posed as buyers and contacted deliveryman Md Ashiqur Rahman Sami, 19.

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Sami arrived at the designated spot in Hatirjheel with a backpack containing Shisha jars, said Mostak Ahmed, Assistant Director (Public Relations), Department of Narcotics Control.

2kg of AL FAKHER Shisha was recovered from his bag, he said.

During interrogation, Sami admitted to delivering Shisha in different parts of the capital and identified Md Abdul Alim Wasif, 28 as the key operator of the network, said Mostak Ahmed.

Based on the information provided by Sami, the team raided “Innovate,” a store located at BTI Premium Plaza in Uttar Badda and detained Wasif.

A search of the storeroom resulted in the recovery of 16kg of AL FAKHER shisha, three hookah sets, two pipes, ten packets of charcoal, an iPhone 13, and five WiFi CCTV cameras.

Wasif confessed to running the online-based Shisha supply network and employing Sami as a deliveryman, the DNC said.

The DNC said efforts are underway to identify other members of the ring based on information obtained from the arrestees.