The Chattogram Metropolitan Police (CMP) has temporarily suspended eight police personnel, including a sub-inspector, over alleged irregularities and misappropriation of narcotics following the recovery of a large consignment of Yaba tablets at a city check-post.
The suspensions are linked to the seizure of an estimated 80,000 to 100,000 Yaba pills at the New Bridge police check-post under Bakalia Police Station.
CMP took disciplinary action under Rule 880 of the Police Regulations of Bengal (PRB), citing allegations of misappropriating narcotics, providing false and misleading information to senior authorities, and disobeying lawful orders.
The decision was confirmed in a two-page office order issued on Monday signed by CMP Deputy Commissioner (South Zone) Hosain Mohammad Kabir Bhuiyan, who was recently promoted to Additional DIG. The order took immediate effect, CMP Assistant Commissioner (Media) Aminur Rashid said.
The suspended officers are Bakalia Police Station Sub-Inspector Mohammad Al Amin Sarkar; Sub-Inspector Mohammad Amir Hossain, currently posted at Kotwali Police Station; Assistant Sub-Inspectors Saiful Alam, Md Ziaur Rahman, Md Saddam Hossain and Enamul Haque; Constable Md Rashedul Hasan Bhuiyan; and female Constable Umme Habiba Swapna.
According to the inquiry report, on the night of 8 December, an AC bus operated by Desh Travels, travelling from Cox’s Bazar to Dhaka, was stopped at the New Bridge check-post. During a search, a trolley bag carried by Cox’s Bazar district police constable Md Imtiaz Hossain was found to contain a large quantity of Yaba tablets.
Investigators alleged that instead of following due legal procedures, the recovered drugs were misappropriated and Imtiaz Hossain was released around 3:30am.
Further inquiry revealed that he had agreed to transport the Yaba consignment in exchange for money from individuals in Cox’s Bazar’s Kalatoli area and had undertaken the trip without taking official leave.
The report also said that after the recovery, Imtiaz sought a “safe exit,” following which several packets of Yaba were removed from the trolley bag. The bag, containing only clothes, was later returned to him, while the narcotics were retained by the officers.
The officers subsequently denied the seizure and allegedly provided misleading information to senior officials. However, the incident was verified by Imtiaz’s confession, statements from the bus supervisor, and testimonies of other police personnel.
A detailed investigation report submitted by CMP Additional Police Commissioner (Traffic) Wahidul Haque Chowdhury recommended the maximum departmental punishment, stating that the officers were collectively involved in serious misconduct, breach of discipline and drug misappropriation
During the suspension period, the officers have been attached to the Dampara Police Lines and instructed to report regularly for roll call.
