Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has recovered a massive haul of 292,000 Yaba tablets and arrested one individual during two separate anti-drug operations in Teknaf, Cox’s Bazar.
The estimated market value of the seized drugs is approximately Tk9 crore. Lieutenant Colonel Md Zahirul Islam confirmed the matter to TIMES of Bangladesh on Sunday morning.
According to BGB sources, acting on a tip-off, a special patrol team from the Unchiprang BOP took position in the Shakerer Gher area, west of border pillar BRM-17, around 7:30pm on Saturday.
Four suspects were spotted aattempting to enter Bangladesh from Myanmar by crossing the Naf River.
When challenged by BGB personnel, the suspects abandoned a plastic bag and escaped by swimming across a canal.
A subsequent search of the abandoned bag led to the recovery of 290,000 Yaba pills wrapped in khaki-coloured packets, valued around Tk8.70 crore. Although a combing operation was conducted in the area, the smugglers could not be apprehended.
In a separate operation at 6:30pm on the same day, BGB conducted a raid at the Shilkhali temporary checkpoint on the Teknaf-Cox’s Bazar Marine Drive.
During a search of a Cox’s Bazar-bound private car, 2,000 Yaba tablets were found wrapped in black adhesive tape inside the vehicle’s steering wheel.
The BGB arrested Md Abdullah, 30, son of Shafiullah, hailing from the Sekher Khil area of Banshkhali upazila in Chattogram, in connection with the seizure. During primary interrogation, Abdullah reportedly confessed to collecting the Yaba from Teknaf with the intention of selling it in Cox’s Bazar.
Zahirul said intelligence surveillance has been increased, and operations are ongoing to identify and arrest the escaped drug traffickers.
The seized drugs, the impounded private car, and the arrested suspect have been handed over to Teknaf Model Police Station for further legal action.
