Mohiuddin Jewel, Chattogram
Despite efforts to defeat them, illegal drug business, by an organized gang of influential people, continues to rule the port city Chottogram raising serious concerns.
Some 300 such illegal drug dealers, mostly selling Yabba, control greater Chottogram and Cox’s Bazar where the drugs are sold. The law enforcing agencies have identified many of the ‘drug lords’ who made wealth and leads luxury life. Police said that some of them were killed in gunfights with RAB-police. Some have been arrested and are in jail.
Meanwhile, the Anti-Corruption Commission (ACC) is investigating the non-income assets of more than 150 drug dealers in the Chattogram region, including Cox's Bazar.
The ACC said that action would be taken against the drug traffickers who surrendered in Cox's Bazar if they had any known assets.
Besides, according to the Chittagong Metropolitan Police's intelligence branch, the agency has a list of 284 drug dealers in 16 police stations in the city.
They sell drugs in 248 places. The list also includes the names of 35 women drug dealers.
Lutful Kabir Chandan, Deputy Director of the ACC's Chittagong divisional office, said that it has been decided to continue the investigation into such crimes. Besides, allegations of illegal acquisition of wealth by several drug dealers in Chattogram, Cox’s Bazar region are also being investigated.
According to the Sources, at number one in the list is the city's largest drug arena Barisal Colony controller is Md. Yusuf’s name. The others are Faisal, controller of drug business in CRB 14 Jamtala slum, Karim in Barapol area of Halishahar, Maijamia, Sadarghat Dhopar Math slum, Arman, Cemetery Road, Abshar, Patenga, Ali Zahur, Kalamia Bazar, Mizan and Zahid, also Riazuddin Bazar.
Besides, Kana Monju of Riazuddin Bazar, who is in the top list, was killed in a gunfight with RAB.
All of the top drug dealers on the Department of Drug Control's list now own a fortune. They have luxurious houses, cars, croes of bank balance and property. Everyone is running the drug business in their respective areas from hiding.
When Connected, Kotwali police officer-in-charge (OC) Nezam Uddin told Bangladesh Post that some professionals are involved in drug business. After being released from jail, they got involved in this business again.
``most of the times they use women as traffickers,” he added.
Researcher and North South University Professor M. Imdadul Haque said that any terrible situation is considered a 'honeymoon' for drug traffickers. In line with Bangladesh's economic progress, the supply of narcotics from neighboring Myanmar and India has increased.
“There is a lot of inconsistency in the implementation of the announcements and decisions on the ground from the top levels of law enforcement. With the announcement comes the need for proper planning and direction, as well as transparency and accountability at all levels” he added.
