A police operation has been carried out in a makeshift Bede settlement in Bhimpur village under Chatkhil Municipality of Noakhali, following a report published earlier in TIMES of Bangladesh highlighting an alleged drug network operating from the area.
The settlement, located on government khas land in Ward No 4, had drawn attention for claims that a drug syndicate was functioning from within bamboo-built huts equipped with unusual facilities, including CCTV cameras and air-conditioning units allegedly used to monitor law enforcement movement.
Acting on the report and prior intelligence, Chatkhil Police conducted a raid on Sunday afternoon in the settlement, which locals say has long been associated with narcotics activity.
Following the operation, Chatkhil Police Station Officer-in-Charge Abdul Mannaf said law enforcement had carried out multiple drives in the area in the past, recovering drugs and filing cases.
“We have conducted several operations here, seized narcotics and filed cases. Earlier, police personnel were also attacked and obstructed, and legal action was taken in response,” he said. “Our responsibility is to enforce the law and conduct raids. Whether bail is granted is a matter for the court. Our anti-drug operations will continue.”
He further said that during the latest raid, police recovered drug-related items including yaba consumption materials, an electric shock device and a CCTV camera installed at a key entry point believed to monitor police movement.
“The CCTV camera was installed facing the main road to track any anti-drug operations in advance. Legal action is being taken in this regard,” he added.
Locals and police sources allege that the settlement is linked to a woman identified as Bobita Akter Sumaiya, who is accused of running an organised narcotics network from the area. She reportedly faces multiple drug cases and has been arrested on several occasions in the past.
Authorities said she was recently detained again, though the extent of the alleged organised structure inside the settlement had not been fully known before.
Residents claim the network has developed over time, with individuals frequently visiting the area for drug consumption and transactions, while fear of retaliation has prevented many from speaking openly.
Following publication of the report, residents renewed their demand for immediate dismantling of the alleged drug hub and strict action against those operating behind the network.
Police said investigations and anti-narcotics drives in the area will continue.
