Members of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) have detained four people, including an alleged drug trader and a Rohingya man, and seized 460,000 Yaba tablets in two separate operations along the Myanmar border in Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar.
The operations also led to the seizure of a pickup truck allegedly used for drug smuggling.
The detainees were identified as Shakil, 22, son of Bokkor Ahmed of the Katakhali area in Whykong; Russel, 23, son of late Kader; and Khairul Amin, 24, son of late Siddique and a resident of Rohingya Refugee Camp-4.
Lieutenant Colonel Md Zohirul Islam, commander of BGB 64 Battalion, disclosed the details at a press conference at the battalion headquarters around 11:30am on Tuesday.
The first operation took place around 8pm on Monday, when BGB personnel became suspicious of a double-cabin pickup truck travelling from the Moulvibazar area of Teknaf towards Chattogram near the Whykong checkpost.
BGB searched the pickup truck and found 120,000 Yaba tablets hidden beneath the rear seat cover. The driver, Md Saiful Islam, 31, son of Md Nurul Islam from Hosain Danga in Double Mooring, Chattogram, was detained. BGB also seized the pickup truck and a mobile phone allegedly used in the smuggling attempt.
In a second operation around 9pm on Monday, a special patrol team from the Palongkhali border outpost spotted three men entering Bangladesh from Myanmar through the Ulubunia Majher Kathi border area in Teknaf.
When BGB personnel challenged the three men, they tried to flee but were caught after a chase. Officers found 340,000 Yaba tablets in their bundles, packed in 34 blue cartons and wrapped in khaki-coloured packets.
“No matter how big a syndicate drug traffickers belong to or how novel a strategy they adopt, BGB is working tirelessly to bring drug smuggling down to zero,” Lieutenant Colonel Md Zohirul Islam said.
He urged the public to provide information about individuals involved in drug smuggling in the Teknaf and Ukhia areas.
BGB estimated the total market value of the seized Yaba tablets at Tk13.80 crore. Cases will be filed against the detainees before they are handed over to Teknaf Police Station.
