United News of Bangladesh

The ongoing civil war in Myanmar, now spanning over three years, has provided an opportunity for drug cartels to thrive, with Shan State emerging as a major hub for illicit narcotics production. This situation poses a significant threat to neighbouring Bangladesh, which is increasingly becoming a key destination for these dangerous drugs. According to the Department of Narcotics Control, the largest shipments of Yaba (methamphetamine tablets) entering Bangladesh are sourced from Myanmar's Shan State. Alongside Yaba, the region has become a hotspot for the production of other potent drugs, including crystal meth (ice) and heroin. Although the spread of ice in Bangladesh was once rare, recent reports indicate a surge in seizures by law enforcement agencies. In one of the most recent instances, in November last year, Bangladesh's Coast Guard seized one kilogram of crystal meth, worth approximately Tk 5 crore, from Shahporir Island in Teknaf. Earlier in August, large consignments of Yaba and ice, worth Tk 21 crore, were intercepted by the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) along the Teknaf and Naikhong border areas. The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) reports that Myanmar has ascended to the top of global opium production in 2024. Poppy flowers, which grow on the slopes of Shan State’s mountains, are used to produce heroin, while nearly fifty factories in the region manufacture Yaba and ice. While 37 Yaba production factories were previously identified in Myanmar, the number has more than doubled in recent years due to the ongoing conflict. Shan State shares borders with China, Thailand and Laos, and drug production thrives in this region due to a steady supply of raw materials such as methamphetamine and caffeine from the Golden Triangle. Read more: Rampant use of antibiotic drugs causing health hazards Besides, ephedrine, a key ingredient in the production of ice, is largely sourced from China. The growing network of drug factories in Shan State reflects the extent to which the region has become a major illicit narcotics hub. Recent reports from The New York Times describe Shan State as a central node for warlords, smugglers, and drug traffickers. Despite being initially hindered by local and central government forces, drug cartels in the region have flourished, partly due to bribes and the weakening of governmental authority in the wake of civil unrest. Armed insurgent groups have also capitalised on the drug trade to fund their operations. In interviews with the media, drug dealers revealed that while the government and military had previously posed obstacles, the collapse of the state apparatus has allowed these illegal operations to flourish. According to them, the insurgent groups operating in the region rely heavily on profits from the drug trade to sustain their armed activities. With the market growing, competition between traffickers has intensified, leading to a drop in prices. For instance, while a can of beer costs around 10 US dollars, a single Yaba tablet can be bought for as little as 25 cents. Bangladesh’s Struggle with Drug Proliferation The spread of narcotics in Bangladesh has been accelerating since 2006, when the price of Yaba was over 1,200 Tk per tablet. The price has since plummeted, with current rates ranging from 100 to 120 Tk per tablet in Cox's Bazar, and between 200 to 250 Tk in Dhaka. The Narcotics Control Department and law enforcement agencies are facing increasing challenges in curbing the trade, which predominantly flows into the country through the Teknaf border. According to Khondokar Mostafizur Rahman, Director General of the Narcotics Control Department, the vast majority of Yaba entering Bangladesh is sourced from Myanmar. "The drug trade is flourishing, and we are struggling to control it," he said. The department’s intelligence reports reveal several hotspots in Dhaka for Yaba trade, including railway stations, bus terminals, and launch ghats. Areas such as Mohammadpur’s Geneva Camp, Mirpur Kalshi, Old Dhaka, Kamrangirchar, and Karwan Bazar are also identified as active drug hubs. In addition to Yaba, there has been a rise in the circulation of ice in affluent areas of the capital, including Gulshan, Banani, and Uttara. Some dealers are even selling ice online, further complicating enforcement efforts. Despite the growing concern, many people mistakenly believe that heroin use has declined in the country due to the widespread availability of Yaba and cannabis. But the Department of Narcotics Control reports that heroin is once again gaining traction. Since Myanmar’s opium production has increased, heroin shipments to Bangladesh have also surged. Traffickers are now using India as a route to bypass direct shipments through the Teknaf border, further complicating enforcement efforts. Read more: RAB arrests 2 siblings with drugs in Brahmanbaria In 2020, the department seized 210 kilograms of heroin, but by 2023, that number had jumped to over 700 kilograms. In just the first half of 2024, more than 357 kilograms of heroin were seized. The Path Forward Experts argue that despite repeated calls for zero tolerance, the government has not taken enough decisive action to curb the spread of narcotics. According to UNODC research, only 10% of the drugs entering a country are intercepted by law enforcement. In Bangladesh’s case, due to its proximity to Myanmar, it has become a hotspot for drug proliferation. Dr. Touhidul Haque, Associate Professor at Dhaka University and an expert in criminology, noted that the actual amount of narcotics entering Bangladesh is likely even higher than the UNODC estimate. "Drugs have become far more accessible than before. When narcotics become easier to obtain, their spread becomes inevitable," he said. To effectively combat the issue, experts recommend heightened vigilance along Bangladesh’s border with Myanmar, with an emphasis on preventing the entry of yaba, ice, and heroin into the country.

A drug peddler was arrested in a raid in the capital's Sabujbagh area on Tuesday, along with 100 Yaba tablets. Police said Md Babul, also known as Swarnakar Babu, 42, was arrested in the Kazi Wahab Colony area under the Sabujbagh Police Station. Acting on a tip-off about a person selling Yaba in the area, police conducted an operation and arrested Babul. A case has been filed against him under the Narcotics Control Act at the Sabujbagh Police Station. During initial interrogation, Babul revealed that he had been sourcing Yaba from various parts of the country for resale in different areas of the capital, including Sabujbagh. Police also noted that Babul has six previous drug-related cases filed against him at Sabujbagh, Kadamtali, Ramna Model, and Shahjahanpur police stations.  

Detectives of Dhaka Metropolitan Police (DMP) in a drive arrested a suspected drug dealer with 9,900 pieces of Yaba pills worth Tk 29.7 lakh in Pragati Sarani area of Dhaka’s Baridhara on Tuesday. The arrestee was identified as Md Harun-Or-Rashid, 53. A media statement sent from Detective Branch (DB) reads the drive was conducted after being tipped-off about an illegal drug haul in the area. A DB team carried out the raid at around 5:05pm and detained Harun on suspicion, it reads. Later, 49 packets of Yaba tablets were recovered from him. However an accomplice of the arrestee managed to flee. A case was registered against Harun and the absconding Md. Monir Hossain with Bhatara Police Station under the Narcotics Control Act.  

Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) arrested two alleged drug dealers, including a teenaged girl, and recovered nearly 2000 yaba pills that they had swallowed to avoid detection by law enforcers, from the Sher-e-Banglanagar area of the capital on Sunday night. The arrestees were identified as Md Russel (26) and his accomplice Sanjida Akhtar (18) . 2 people killed in separate road accidents in Chattogram An operational team of Rab-2 battalion headquarters obtained information on Sunday night at around 10:35 pm that two drug dealers were coming to Dhaka with a consignment of drugs. Based on the information, the operational team of the elite force set up a check post on the street in front of Pangu Hospital under Sherebangla Nagar police station. While they were implementing a search of a passenger bus, two passengers towards the back of the bus started acting very suspiciously and were detained for questioning. During interrogation, Russel admitted that he was carrying yaba in his stomach. BGB arrests man with 70,000 Yaba pills in Cox’s Bazar Russell was then taken to Suhrawardy Medical College Hospital, where further tests including an X-ray revealed the presence of a palm-shaped polythene-wrapped yaba packets in the stomach of arrested Russel. Once the existence of yaba was confirmed, Russel was officially shown-arrested and medics removed 38 of the packets described above from his stomach through the anus. Each of these potla contained 50 yaba, giving a total of 1900 yaba obtained from Russel. Meanwhile Sanjida was suspected of wearing fake hair extensions when she was searched by two female members of RAB. Eventually a single packet of 50 pills was found and extracted from her hair. 2.60 lakh yaba pills, 1.05 kg crystal meth seized in Cox’s Bazar During preliminary interrogation, it was also learned that the arrested Russel collected yaba from the Cox's Bazar frontier. He also revealed that he used to take small plastic wrapped yaba pills inside his stomach through drinking juice and food items to help swallow it down.

Narayanganj DB police have arrested a Sramik League leader with 700 pieces of yaba pills at Sonargaon in the district. Police arrested Sonargaon Union Sramik League General Secretary Ashik Sarkar with Yaba on Wednesday night, according to Narayanganj DB police SI Md. Ruhul Amin. SI Md. Ruhul Amin said Ashik was arrested during an anti drug operation in the area. Narayanganj-4: This may be my last election, says Shamim Osman Preparations are underway to file a case against Ashik under the Narcotics Control Act, he said. The arrestee was identified as Ashik Sarkar, son of Rup Miya Sarkar from Kathalipara village of Sadipur union under Narayanganj. 4 family members burnt in gas explosion in Narayanganj However, Sadipur Union Member Al Amin said police took his signature as witness of seizing 1400 pieces of Yaba and four rounds of bullets.  But later the police mentioned about only 700 pieces of Yaba, said UP member Al Amin. When contacted, Sonargaon area in charge of DB police Al Mamun said, “I don’t know anything about this. But I will inform you if I find any information about this.” Woman, son burnt in Narayanganj fire Later, he couldn’t be reached by phone.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) claimed to have detained a Myanmar national with 50,000 Yaba pills from Teknaf upazila of Cox’s Bazar district. The detainee has been identified as Md Rafique, 32. Body recovered from Marine Drive road in Cox's Bazar Acting on a tip-off that a big consignment of Yaba is being smuggled through the area, a team of BGB-2 conducted a drive in the area and found four people crossing the zero line of the border area around 12:15 am, said commanding officer of BGB-2, Lt Col Mohiuddin. Railway Minister to inspect Dohazari-Cox's Bazar line before inauguration Being challenged, three of the “smugglers” managed to flee the scene. BGB managed to arrest one of them with the Yaba pills. 2 friends drown in Cox's Bazar while taking bath

Members of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) say they have recovered 28,000 yaba pills, 1 kg heroin, and 77 bottles of Phensedyl from the Chapainawabganj border area. The drugs were seized during raids at Chakpara, Telkupi and Azmatpur border areas under Shibganj upazila, according to a press release sent by 59 BGB Battalion this morning. Acting on a tip-off, a BGB patrol team led by Lt Col Golam Kibria, commander of 59 BGB battalion, raided the border areas last night. At that time, the yaba pills, heroin, and Phensedyl were recovered while no one was around, said the release. According to the press release, special patrols of BGB are being conducted in the border areas to implement a zero-tolerance policy against drugs announced by the prime minister and the BGB director general.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) said they detained a Rohingya man with one lakh yaba pills from the Ukhiya border area on Thursday. The detainee was identified as Sharif Hossain, 21, son of Bashir Ahmed of Kutupalong Rohingya camp of Ukhiya upazila. Tipped off, a team of BGB conducted a raid at Tulatuli Joliler Goda of Rajapalong union, Lieutenant Colonel Mohammad Saiful Islam Chowdhury, commanding officer of 34th BGB Battalion, said. Hot on the trail of potential "drug smugglers," BGB detained Sharif with one lakh contraband yaba pills as was trying to smuggle the cheap synthetic drug from Myanmar into Bangladesh. The detainee and the yaba pills were handed over to Ukiya Police Station, Saiful said. Read more: Yaba smuggling: 8 Rohingyas get life term jail in Cox’s Bazar  

Members of the Armed Police Battalion (APBn) on Saturday detained a Saudi Arabia resident with 15,400 yaba pills at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport. The detainee has been identified as Md Rubel Hossain, originally from Chandpur district. Additional SP of Airport Armed Police (AAP) Mohammad Ziaul Haque said they detained Rubel on suspicion in front of Gate No. 1 of the departure terminal this afternoon. During preliminary interrogation, Masud revealed that he had kept 15,400 Yaba pills in his luggage which were recovered later, he added. Legal action will be taken against him, said the ASP. Read more: 2 held with Yaba worth over Tk 1 cr in Dhaka  

Bangladesh Coast Guard (BCG) on Tuesday detained a suspected drug peddler and seized 84,000 yaba pills from Shahpori island and Keruntoli areas in Teknaf upazila of Cox’s Bazar. However, the identity of the detainee was not disclosed by the Coast Guard officials. Tipped-off, BCG Station at Teknaf conducted a special drive in Shahpori island area around 1:30am and detained the man along with 70,000 yaba pills, said a media release signed by Lt Commander Khandaker Munif Taqi, media officer of the BCG. Besides, another BCG team found a man roaming in  Kuruntoli area around 3am. Coast Guard members signaled the man to stop as his movements seemed suspicious. Sensing the presence of the Coast Guard men, the man dropped a bag and fled, it added. Later, 14,000 yaba pills were seized from the bag. The detainee and the seized yaba pills were handed over to Teknaf Model Police Station for further legal action, said the release.