The era of drug Godfathers is coming to an end!

Although large consignments of Yaba cross the border into Bangladesh, only a few of those get caught. Cases are filed in court, and a few months later, they are sentenced. Meanwhile, the masterminds behind the scenes remain beyond reach. These Godfathers, who control transactions worth crores of taka from the capital, were once untouchable. Even investigating officers were often too afraid to utter their names. But now, the scenario is changing. A new law is set to bring these "white-collar criminals" of the drug empire to justice.

The gateway to prosecuting white-collar criminals or Godfathers has been opened through the Narcotics Control (Amendment) Act-2026. Simultaneously, the Department of Narcotics Control (DNC) has sent proposals to the Ministry of Home Affairs for the formation of a Cyber Unit and the establishment of a Digital Forensic Laboratory.

According to DNC Director General Md. Hasan Maruf, the implementation of the new law will make many "impossible" things possible. In his view, this law sends a specific message to the Godfathers of the drug trade.

Speaking about the future, the DNC Director General said, "We have already sent proposals to the ministry for the Cyber Unit and, most recently, the Digital Forensic Laboratory. I hope the project will be approved soon. Until then, we will take assistance from the CID's forensic lab for investigating cases."

"We have already obtained court orders to seize the assets of accused individuals in four money laundering cases. The new law will expedite the overall process through the use of dog squads for drug detection, establishing warehouses at narcotics control offices for storing seized evidence, and forming tribunals to expedite drug case trials," he added.

Crime analysts point out that drug trafficking was once confined to borders, warehouses, or specific hangouts. That familiar image has now changed. The drug trade now operates through smartphone screens. Telegram, WhatsApp, Signal, Facebook, or Instagram have become the new networks for buying and selling drugs. Secret online forums have also created networks for drug sales. Buyers place orders online, send payments through digital means, and within a few hours, the drugs are delivered via courier or ride-sharing services. Today, major traffickers no longer handle drugs themselves. They find customers on social media, give instructions through encrypted apps, receive money via digital channels, and have the product delivered through someone else. The entire cycle operates in fragmented parts.

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) has warned in multiple reports in recent years that drug trafficking worldwide is rapidly becoming technology-dependent. The use of the darknet, encrypted messaging apps, and virtual payments has increased alarmingly, especially in the markets for synthetic drugs and new psychoactive substances. According to investigators, Bangladesh is no exception to this global trend. It is this reality that prompted the government to amend the Narcotics Control Act of 2018. Multiple drug traffickers have already indicated that the new law is acting as a fresh source of terror within the drug empire.

Officials say the primary goal of the new law is no longer just the seizure of drugs, but rather the dismantling of the entire criminal network. The focus of investigations will not be on who carried the drugs, but on who gave the orders, who supplied the money, where the transactions took place, through whom the communications were made, and ultimately, who controls the entire syndicate.

Cyber expert Tanvir Zoha believes this law is a milestone in apprehending top-tier drug traffickers. However, he notes that success will ultimately depend on the skills of the investigating officers. Speaking to Agamir Somoy, he said, "A lot depends on the investigating officer handling the case. This law will also be a major source of anxiety for gambling racketeers and those involved in money laundering. However, policymakers must have the mindset to identify and amend any weaknesses that may arise in the future."

Why the Existing Law Failed to Catch the Godfathers:
According to investigating officers, major drug traffickers changed their tactics long ago. They never touch drugs themselves. One person brings the consignment, another stores it in a warehouse, a third takes online orders, a fourth collects the money, and a fifth handles the delivery. As a result, the police only manage to arrest low-level operatives. In many cases, investigations have found that even with evidence of transactions worth lakhs of taka, hundreds of phone calls, and countless online conversations, the failure to recover drugs directly from the accused weakens the foundation of the case. Exploiting this loophole, many godfathers have remained beyond the reach of the law for years.

Digital Evidence Will Be the Biggest Weapon:
Under the new law, investigators will be able to present call records, mobile phone data, chat histories, emails, social media communications, CCTV footage, IP logs, mobile financial service transactions, bank accounts, e-wallets, and even cryptocurrency information as evidence in court.

Officials involved in investigations say the most crucial principle in modern drug case investigations is "follow the money." In other words, by tracing the money—not the drugs—the entire syndicate can be uncovered. Who sent the money, which account received it, which digital wallet it went to, and where it was transferred abroad—this financial trail is now the most significant piece of evidence. The new law empowers courts to seize or confiscate digital accounts, e-wallets, virtual assets, and cryptocurrencies. This will allow authorities to strike not only at the drugs but also at the financial foundations of the criminal network.

Under the new drug law, if a person is convicted of a serious drug offense committed through digital means, they face imprisonment for any term, or the death penalty (as the maximum sentence), and a fine of up to 20 lakh taka. Additionally, if the drug offense is committed internationally or through an organized criminal gang, the offender will face imprisonment for any term, or a fine of up to 50 lakh taka, or both.

Fighting Technology with Technology:
A separate Cyber Unit is being established under the Department of Narcotics Control (DNC). In January, the DNC sent a proposal to the Ministry of Home Affairs for a unit with 64 personnel. The proposal states that this unit will monitor social media, the dark web, encrypted apps, online marketplaces, and virtual payment platforms. Simultaneously, a proposal has been made to set up a modern forensic laboratory where, alongside chemical analysis, digital forensic examinations can also be conducted. In the words of officials, "The anti-drug war must now be fought not just with weapons, but with software as well."