DNC, BGB detain 3 Indians in Dhaka, Moulvibazar

Department of Narcotics Control (DNC) and Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) detained three Indian nationals in separate drives in Dhaka and Moulvibazar, recovering 5.12kg of the synthetic drug Kush, a foreign-made pistol, two rounds of .22-bore ammunition and 500 Yaba tablets.

DNC officials arrested two Indian nationals with 5.12kg of Kush at Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport on Thursday, while BGB detained another Indian national along the Kumarshail border in Barlekha upazila of Moulvibazar during a midnight operation.

The two DNC arrestees were identified as Abdul Rahman, 46, and Mohammad Iqbal Ansari, 45, residents of West Bengal, India, according to a DNC press statement.

Acting on intelligence information, DNC officials took position at the airport’s Green Channel in the arrival hall around 1pm. The two men arrived from Bangkok on a Thai Airways flight and were detained on suspicion.

In the presence of officials from different airport agencies, their luggage trolleys were searched, leading to the recovery of 5.12kg of Kush. Two Indian passports, US$500, Tk10,000 in Indian currency and three smartphones were also seized.

DNC Airport Circle Inspector Shaharia Sharmin filed a case against the two under the Narcotics Control Act with Airport Police Station. DNC described Kush as a highly potent and dangerous synthetic drug.

The latest seizure came amid a series of recent Kush seizures at the airport.

On August 18, DNC recovered 4.18kg of Kush after two Indian nationals, Akash Dubey and Akash Pandey, allegedly involved in the smuggling, fled the airport, leaving behind their trolleys and photocopies of their passports. A case was filed against them.

On August 22, Hussain Abdul Kader Sheikh of Karnataka, India, was arrested with 3kg of Kush after arriving from Bangkok on a Thai Airways flight.

Two days later, on August 24, DNC arrested two West Bengal residents, Sanowar Ali and Imtiaz Ahmed, at the airport with 5.04kg of Kush.

Meanwhile, BGB detained an alleged Indian smuggler during a midnight operation along the Kumarshail border in Barlekha upazila, recovering a foreign-made pistol, two rounds of .22-bore ammunition and 500 Yaba tablets.

The operation was conducted by a special patrol team of Beanibazar Battalion (52 BGB) following information that a group of smugglers from India would attempt to bring weapons and drugs into Bangladesh, according to a BGB press release.

The team took position in the area around 10pm on Thursday. Sensing the presence of the border guards, the smugglers allegedly opened fire, prompting BGB members to return fire in self-defence, the release said.

The smugglers then fled the area, but BGB members gave chase and detained one of them.

During preliminary interrogation, the detainee allegedly admitted to being involved in a cross-border smuggling gang. BGB suspects the recovered weapons and drugs had been brought from India for distribution in Bangladesh.

Intelligence teams are continuing efforts to identify and apprehend the other smugglers who escaped, the release said.

Beanibazar Battalion commanding officer Lt Col Md Ataur Rahman Sujan said BGB members were maintaining a high level of vigilance and professionalism to prevent the smuggling of drugs, weapons and other illegal goods.

He said the operation would continue alongside border security efforts to protect the country's young generation from the dangers of drugs.