The Department of Narcotics Control (DNC) has arrested three individuals and seized 6,000 Yaba tablets from a private car featuring a Ministry of Home Affairs sticker in Ramu, Cox’s Bazar.
The arrests were made around 10am on Wednesday during a raid in Rubber Garden area of Joarianala Union, located on Chattogram-Cox’s Bazar highway.
The apprehended individuals have been identified as Sabbir Hossain, 36, son of Abdul Gafur from Shalukia in Chauddagram, Cumilla; Seema Islam, 22, daughter of the late Shahidul Islam Sabuj from Pashchim Nau in Rupganj, Narayanganj; and Urmi Akter Usha, 18, wife of Shakil Mridha from Dakkhin Bishil in Darussalam, Dhaka.
Somen Mondal, deputy director of DNC Cox’s Bazar District Office, said they acted on a tip-off regarding a drug trafficking syndicate transporting a Yaba consignment from Cox’s Bazar town to Dhaka. A DNC team took up positions in the Rubber Garden area to monitor Chattogram-bound traffic.
“At one point, a private car arriving from Cox’s Bazar was signalled to stop, but the driver ignored the instruction and attempted to speed away,” Mondal said. “Following a chase, the vehicle, which was labelled with a Ministry of Home Affairs sticker, was intercepted”.
During initial interrogation, the driver and the two women claimed to be employees of the Ministry of Home Affairs. However, their claims were proven false upon verification.
A subsequent search of the vehicle led to the discovery of 6,000 Yaba tablets hidden inside a special compartment in the dashboard.
The DNC official confirmed that a case has been filed against the three suspects at Ramu Police Station under the relevant narcotics control laws.
