Yaba Smuggling Route Through Beanibazar Raises Alarm

Concerns are rising over the spread of yaba and other drugs in Beanibazar of Sylhet. Police have been regularly arresting drug carriers and street-level traders through ongoing operations. However, investigators say the main masterminds remain out of reach, preventing full control over drug trafficking.

In recent operations, Beanibazar Police Station arrested five drug traders in a week. Based on information obtained from them, yaba is entering Bangladesh from India through the neighboring Zakiganj border. Beanibazar is then being used as a transit route to distribute the drugs across different parts of the country, while some consignments are also supplied to local dealers.

To avoid law enforcement detection, traffickers use coded language for yaba. Investigations show they refer to yaba as ‘bichi,’ ‘botam,’ (button) and ‘maal,’ making it difficult to identify communications even when they occur in the open.

Intelligence surveillance has been increased in Beanibazar to prevent drug trafficking. Police have also intensified checkpoints and search operations in different areas. Alongside drug recoveries, arrests of those involved are also being made.

Earlier this week, Beanibazar Police arrested one person with 9,000 yaba tablets. Prior to that, three more drug traders were arrested on Tuesday with 50 yaba tablets during an operation at a checkpoint set up at the Abdullahpur tri-junction point in the Bairagibazar area based on a tip-off. The arrested individuals were Mohammad Ali (50) of Jambar village in Zakiganj upazila, Abdul Basit (38) of Khalagram in Mathiura, and Jibar Hossain (45) of Rangauti village in Bianibazar municipality.

Officer-in-Charge of Beanibazar Police Station Md. Omar Faruk said a list of drug traffickers has been prepared based on intelligence information. Operations are being conducted regularly according to that list. In many cases, checkpoints are also set up late at night. Those arrested are being taken to court after filing cases against them.

According to sources, various border areas from the Zero Point of Birshree Union in Zakiganj upazila to the Kaskanakpur Union are being used as drug trafficking routes. During the day, traffickers disguise themselves as fishermen and transport drugs while catching fish in rivers. At other times, yaba is brought across the border through waterways, boats, or by swimming. The drugs are then stored in houses in border villages and later sent to different parts of the country when opportunities arise.

Investigations also reveal that after collecting yaba consignments from local smugglers, agents of larger syndicates travel in disguise as ordinary passengers on buses or CNG-run autorickshaws to their destinations. To avoid suspicion, they often change their clothing, making identification difficult despite intelligence inputs.

Police sources said at least two dozen cases have been filed under the Narcotics Control Act at Beanibazar Police Station over the past three months. Arrests have been made in all cases. Locals say that while ongoing police operations are commendable, bringing major traffickers and their networks under the law is essential to fully stop drug smuggling and reduce the use of Beanibazar as a safe trafficking route.