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.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) seized 21 kg of crystal methamphetamine (crystal meth or ice) from Ukhiya upazila of  Cox’s Bazar early Wednesday. A team of BGB 34 battalion arrested three people with the drug worth Tk 100 crore from Balukhali cyclone shelter area of the upazila, said  Lt Col Saiful Islam Chowdhury, chief of the battalion. This is the biggest ever consignment of crystal meth seized in the country, according to a press release sent by the force. Also Read: Myanmar national among 3 held with Crystal meth, Yaba pills in Teknaf The arrestees are Bujuche Mia, 51, Md Ismail, 23, and Syedul Bashar, 40. Tipped off that a drug consignment from Myanmar was being smuggled into Bangladesh, the BGB team conducted the drive. The drugs will be destroyed later, Saiful Islam said. Legal action will be taken in this regard, he added.  

Members of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) on Sunday seized over 4 kg of crystal methamphetamine and 1.5 lakh yaba pills in a drive in Teknaf upazila of Cox’s Bazar. Tipped off, a team of BGB-2 intercepted a boat in which 3/4 suspected smugglers from Myanmar were heading towards Jaliar Dwip around 5am, said Commander of Teknaf Battalion (BGB-2) Lieutenant Colonel Sheikh Khalid Mohammad Iftekhar. Read: 2 held with crystal meth, yaba worth Tk5.91 crore in Cox's Bazar The smugglers, however, jumped into the Naf River and managed to escape. Later, the BGB men seized the crystal meth, yaba pills and 25 kg of current nets worth Tk 25.89 crore from the boat.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) Friday claimed to have arrested two men from Cox's Bazar's Teknaf on charges of smuggling yaba pills and crystal meth worth around Tk5.91 crore from Myanmar to here. BGB Battalion-2 conducted a drive on the banks of the River Naf River near Hnila BOP of the upazila and detained Riaz Uddin, 20, and Saddam Hossain, 19. Read: Cox's Bazar man held with crystal meth, yaba pills worth Tk5.57 crore Around 1.063 kg of crystal meth and 20,000 yaba pills, a boat, and illegal fishing nets were recovered from the possession of the duo, Lieutenant Colonel Sheikh Khalid Mohammad Iftekhar, commanding officer of BGB Battalion-2, told UNB. The detainees were later handed over to Teknaf Model Police Station, he added.

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) on Thursday claimed to have seized over 1 kg of crystal methamphetamine, 143 bottles of liquor and 50kg of nets in separate drives across Teknaf upazila of Cox’s Bazar. Tipped off, a team of BGB-2 intercepted a boat in which two smugglers from Myanmar were heading towards Jaliar Dwip around 1am, said Commander of Teknaf Battalion-2, Lieutenant Colonel Sheikh Khalid Mohammad Iftekhar. Also read:BGB recover drugs worth Tk 335 crore including yaba, crystal meth since January The smugglers, however, jumped into the Naf river and managed to escape. Later, the BGB men seized 1.056 kg of crystal meth and 50 kg of nets worth Tk 5.28 crore from the boat. In another drive in Karingaghona, when a team of BGB-Teknaf Battalion challenged 6-7 smugglers carrying sacks to a nearby village in the small hours of Thursday. Though the smugglers managed to escape, they left the sacks behind. The BGB men found 143 bottles of illicit liquor worth Tk 2.14 lakh in the sacks.

Members of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) on Monday seized 2.119 kg crystal methamphetamine (Ice) and 118 bottles of liquor in separate drives at Teknaf in Cox’s Bazar. Tipped off, a team of BGB-2 challenged two smugglers coming from Myanmar at Keora near Domdomia BOP around 4am, said Commander of Teknaf Battalion-2 Lieutenant Colonel Sheikh Khalid Mohammad Iftekhar. Also read:Rohingya man held with 1.06kg crystal meth in Cox’s Bazar Sensing danger, the smugglers left the drugs and fled the scene immediately. Later, the BGB men seized 1.056 kg of crystal meth worth Tk 5.28 crore. In another drive at Shah Porir Dwip, when a team of BGB-2 challenged 2-3 smugglers coming from Myanmar by a boat trough the Naf River around 3am the smugglers jumped into the river and managed to escape. Later, the BGB men seized 1.063 kg crystal meth and 118 bottles of toxic liquor worth Tk 5.33 crore from the boat. Also read:BGB recover drugs worth Tk 335 crore including yaba, crystal meth since January However, the BGB men couldn’t arrest anyone during the drives.

Members of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) detained a Rohingya man along with 1.06 kg crystal methamphetamine (Ice) from Teknaf upazila in Cox’s Bazar early Thursday. The detainee was identified as Shahidul Islam, 22, a resident of Jadimora refugee camp in Teknaf. Read: Those selling stolen mobile phone sets to be arrested: DMP According to a media release of BGB, tipped off, a team of BGB Teknaf (BGB-2) detained Shahidul with crystal meth worth Tk 5.30 crore while trying to smuggle those into the country from Myanmar around 3am. The detainee was handed over to Teknaf Model police station.    

Members of Border Guard (BGB) detained a drug peddler with 1.06kg of crystal methamphetamine (crystal meth or ice) and 10,000 of Yaba pills from Teknaf in the early hours of Monday. The detainee was Md. Saker Ali,22, son of late Kalu Mia of 25 Mochni Myanmar Citizens Camp, Block-B of Teknaf. Also Read: BGB seizes smuggled goods worth Tk 143 cr in April According to a media release of BGB, tipped off, a patrol team of BGB-2, detained Saker conducting a drive at Omarkhal area under Domdomia BOP in Teknaf around 12:15 am. During the drive, the BGB men seized 1.06kgs of crystal methamphetamine (crystal meth or ice) and 10,000 pcs of Yaba pills worth Tk 5.60 crore from his possession, said the release.      

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) on Friday detained two suspected drug smugglers in Cox's Bazar and seized one kg of crystal meth or ice worth Tk 5 crore from their possession. The detainees have been identified as Syedul Amin, 34, son of Foyez Ahmed, and a teenager hailing from Ukhia upazila. Acting on a tip-off, a team of BGB-30 raided the West Goalia area of the district's Ramu upazila and stopped a CNG-run auto-rickshaw around 5:45 pm for checking, said Mahmudul Hasan of BGB. READ: Ice worth Tk 25cr seized in Cox’s Bazar Being challenged by the BGB members, three occupants of the auto, including its driver, jumped into a nearby pond in a bid to escape. Later, the BGB men detained two of them and seized ice worth Tk 5 crore from their possession. The detainees were later handed over to the local police. READ: Crystal meth worth Tk 12.5cr seized in Teknaf

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) have seized five kg of recreational drugs worth TK 25 crore in Cox’s Bazar. This is the largest haul of crystal meth or ice in the country to date, BGB's Cox's Bazar unit said in a statement. The drugs were seized from the Palangkhali area of the district's Ukhia upazila during a special drive conducted by the Cox’s Bazar battalion of BGB (BGB-34) on Thursday. Also read: Crystal meth worth Tk 12.5cr seized in Teknaf Following a tip off that some drug traders would enter Bangladesh from Myanmar with a large consignment of crystal meth, the BGB petrol team took position under a bridge near Palangkhali Bazar around 7pm. Some 39 minutes later, the BGB team spotted an armed group of drug traders crossing the border and challenged them but they managed to escape by firing at the petrol team. The crystal meth was found in the bags they left behind. "Legal action is underway regarding this," said the statement. Also read: 2 held with 1 kg Crystal meth, 50k Yaba in separate drives in Ramu