A total of 581,920 pieces of yaba have been seized in separate operations conducted by Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and RAB in the border areas of Teknaf and Ghumdhum in Cox’s Bazar.
According to BGB sources, a large quantity of yaba was recovered after special operations were launched in the Naf River and surrounding areas based on secret information.
Around 2:30am on 23 November, two individuals attempted to enter Bangladesh from Myanmar by crossing the river. A BGB patrol team quickly launched a naval operation and seized 57,800 pieces of yaba that had been left in the river.
During the operation, the drug traffickers threw polythene packets into the water and fled.
Around 6am on November 24, an operation involving boat searches in the Damdamia and Boroitoli areas of Teknaf led to the recovery of 150,000 pieces of yaba.
During this operation, three traffickers on the boat swam away to Myanmar. Among the arrested accused was Md Hakim Ali (54), a citizen of Myanmar. However, several individuals – residents of Teknaf municipal area – still remain at large. They are residents of the Teknaf municipal area.
In the early hours of 25 November, members of the Ghumdhum BOP under BGB Battalion 34 conducted an operation in the border area and seized 50,000 pieces of yaba. The yaba tablets had been buried underground.
Meanwhile, RAB-15 conducted a special operation in the Mitha Pani Chhara area of Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar. The operation resulted in the arrest of two drug traffickers and the seizure of 90,000 pieces of yaba.
The raid was conducted on Tuesday morning.
RAB stated that the operation was carried out based on intelligence information. The operation led to the recovery of 90,000 pieces of yaba and 2 “dumb” phones.
The arrested drug traffickers are Mohammad Abdullah (27) and Anwara Begum, both residents of the Teknaf Mitha Pani Chhara area.
Lieutenant Colonel Ashikur Rahman, commander of Teknaf 2 BGB, said, “Our primary goal is border security and a ‘Zero Tolerance’ policy against drugs and human trafficking. We have been conducting regular and strategic operations. Such operations will continue in the future.”
Lieutenant Colonel SM Khairul Alam, commander of BGB Battalion 34, said, “The operation was conducted based on a tip we received. The seized narcotics have been handed over according to the law. Our team is continuously monitoring the border area.”
Assistant Police Superintendent and Assistant Director (Law and Media Officer) of RAB-15, AM Faruq, said, “The operation was conducted based on intelligence. Our efforts against drugs and human trafficking will continue, and we are always vigilant to prevent such crimes along the border.”
Officials went on to add that the arrested accused and the seized narcotics have been processed according to the law and such operations to curb crimes in the border areas will continue.
