Police arrested three suspected drug traffickers with 8 kilograms of heroin and 14,000 yaba tablets, worth approximately Tk8.35 crore, during a drive in Karnaphuli Upazila early Tuesday.
The detainees were identified as Md Ali Hossain, 42, Md Azim, 40, and Mohammad Rusel, 49.
Sub-Inspector Imran Hossain of Chattogram Metropolitan Police confirmed the details at a press briefing.
According to police, law enforcers set up a checkpoint in front of a petrol pump at Shikalbaha crossing after receiving information that a bus carrying a large consignment of drugs was heading to Chattogram from Cox’s Bazar. The bus, operated by Hanif Paribahan, was chased and intercepted around 3am after it ignored signals to stop.
A search of the vehicle led to the recovery of eight yellow packets hidden inside an iron box at the rear. Each packet contained one kilogram of heroin, totaling 8 kilograms, with an estimated value of Tk8 crore.
Additionally, 14,000 yaba tablets were recovered from 70 blue zipper bags, each containing 200 tablets, with an estimated value of Tk35 lakh. Police also seized the bus.
Police said the three detainees-driver, supervisor and helper of the bus-are believed to be part of a professional drug trafficking network.
During preliminary interrogation, they admitted to collecting the drugs from unidentified individuals in Cox’s Bazar and transporting them in a concealed manner to Dhaka for delivery to other recipients.
Officer-in-Charge Shahinur Alam said a case has been filed under the Narcotics Control Act, and further legal proceedings are underway.
