Despite continuous drives and numerous cases filed against traffickers, drug smuggling remains rampant in the northern border district of Lalmonirhat, where syndicates continue to operate undeterred.
Residents near the border with India report that fear grips their communities as illegal drugs pour into local villages, transforming many into centres of narcotics trading.
Law enforcement sources say that in just two unions under Kaliganj upazila, at least a hundred major drug operators remain active. Many of them, officials added, wield significant influence, some even holding elected positions.
Several suspects reportedly have as many as 10 to 14 cases filed against their names.
According to locals and police sources, all five upazilas in Lalmonirhat directly border India, providing traffickers with easy routes for cross-border smuggling.
Authorities describe the situation as increasingly dire, as phensedyl, Indian liquor, tapentadol, cannabis, yaba, and other illegal substances are smuggled into the country in large quantities.
Despite frequent arrests, the trade persists. Police say drug cartels have grown stronger, backed by wealth, political connections, and expanding networks.
Some syndicates have even attempted to undermine anti-drug efforts by spreading misinformation or intimidating officers.
Officials admit their fight is far from easy. They frequently update lists of known offenders and carry out targeted raids, but traffickers quickly adapt. Many arrested individuals manage to secure bail and return to the trade, police say.
Among the most vulnerable zones are Goral and Chandrapur unions of Kaliganj upazila.
A police investigation centre was set up in Goral in 2021 to address the area’s distance from the main police station. Officers initially struggled due to political interference, but conditions have reportedly improved following a recent change in administration.
Sub-Inspector Mostakin Ahmed, who leads the Goral Investigation Centre, said he has filed 68 cases and arrested 70 accused individuals over the past year.
He acknowledged receiving threats from smugglers but affirmed his determination to continue his work without yielding to pressure.
In 2022, news reports surfaced that phensedyl was being stockpiled in the home of local UP member Badsha, who has been detained multiple times yet released on bail.
He has admitted his previous involvement in the illegal trade but now claims to have quit.
Locals express frustration over the stigma they face. Many say their villages are now known as “drug-infested,” affecting both social standing and marriage opportunities.
Some families reported cancelled engagements as outsiders avoid ties with such areas.
“Just a handful of drug traders have destroyed our social environment,” said Anjurul Haque Mintu, executive director of Arannya School and College.
“Students are at risk, and our youth are losing their future,” he said.
Farmers also complain that smugglers trample their crops during nighttime drug runs and that cattle smuggling increases during winter.
Kaliganj Police Station Officer-in-Charge Zakir Hossain said intensified operations are underway under orders from district headquarters.
“We will not allow drug dealers to roam freely. Their plots will be foiled,” he asserted.
However, locals warn that until quick bail releases are curbed, the ongoing efforts to control cross-border trafficking may continue to fall short.
