At least 187 alleged drug peddlers have so far been killed, 23,000 arrested and 15,000 cases filed but none of the ruling Awami League leaders and their friends, who have been named as 'godfathers' of Yaba smuggling, have either been killed or arrested or even face criminal charges.
The law enforcers started a nationwide anti-drug crackdown in May.
According to locals and law enforcement sources, Abdur Rahman Bodi, MP, who returned from Saudi Arabia, has kept himself aloof from local politics and does not show up at his business establishments. Local sources told the Daily Observer that Bodi's cousin has fled to Mong Mong Sen area in Myanmar, while his other family members whose names appeared in multiple intelligence reports as Yaba godfathers have left Teknaf.
Mujibur Rahman, younger brother of Bodi, is also physically absent from his business establishment, according to law enforcement officials.
The Yaba pills enter Bangladesh through Teknaf border of Cox's Bazar before they are distributed through peddlers all over the country. Most of the drug 'mafias,' however, remained untouched. Law enforcer source said many of the listed drug dealers have fled the country.
And despite the ruthless operations that drew criticism from rights groups, Yaba smuggling has not yet come to a halt either.
Addressing a press conference on Anti-Drug Day Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan said, "The anti drug drive has got public support. It is underway and will continue."
Government's official data shows the total number of drug addicts in the country is more than 8 million and most of them consume Yaba. The law enforcement agencies have recovered more than 44 million pills of Yaba last year.
According to United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), only 10 per cent of total drugs are generally recovered in any country. By that estimate, 400 million Yaba pills worth Tk 60 billion are sold each year in the country. Law enforcers claim pills of around Tk 100 billion are sold each year in the local markets.
Such a huge turnout remains an incentive for smuggling Yaba despite the 'zero tolerance' policy of the law enforcers, said several officials of RAB and police. Yaba trade has turned out to be another normal business for many in Cox's Bazar.
The police headquarters officials said 23,000 drug addicts and drug traders have been arrested across the country by this time. Some 15,000 cases have been filed against them, the sources said.
Several law enforcement officials admitted that despite the drives, Yaba tablets are being smuggled in through Naf river and several sea routes. The narcotics are spreading throughout the country from Teknaf.
The Home Minister at a meet the press programme at Dhaka Reporters' Unity in the capital on Tuesday said law enforcers are taking action against those whose names appeared common in the five lists prepared by five separate intelligence agencies.
When asked about government's inaction against over 200 police officials who appeared as drug patrons in the Home Ministry's lists, the Minister said, "We are not sparing anyone. Possibly you are not getting all the news." "The alleged officials are facing departmental actions and suspensions. One or two were sent to jail," he added.
Law enforcement agencies have been reporting death of 'drug dealers' in 'crossfire' almost every day since the nationwide drive against drugs began in May following a directive of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina.
