Teknaf ‘Yaba lords’ have begun to comeback after going into hiding during a countrywide crackdown on drugs. Locals also say that there has also been a spike in drug trade recently.
On Tuesday, two Yaba traders were killed in a shoot-out with RAB. At this time, 4 lakh 50 thousand pieces of Yaba were recovered from an oil tanker.
On 5 August last, 1 lakh 70 thousand pieces of the methamphetamine based drug was found in a betel nut tree garden, hidden under the ground.
Locals of Teknaf say that there are almost fifty opulent palace like residences in Teknaf, built with proceeds from Yaba sales.
One such house is owned by Nurul Huda, aka, Yaba King. His elder brother, Nur Mohammad, died in 2013 during an encounter with RAB.
Nurul Huda, whose house is secured by CCTV cameras, is now back after a hiatus.
According to police, anti-drug operations are being carried out every day and shipments are being confiscated. A total of 142 persons were arrested in Teknaf with drugs and 114 cases lodged. So far, 23 lakh pieces of the drug have been captured.
It’s believed that near the border with Myanamr, there are 37 Yaba manufacturing factories operated by eight Burmese organisations.
Everyday around 30 lakh pieces of Yaba are distributed among the dealers. The trade is worth about Tk. 100 crore.
Teknaf municipality mayor, Abdullah Monir, says: “when the drug operations begin, the drug kings disappear.”
Teknaf thana acting OC, Ranjit Kumar Barua, says: “we will carry out drives in the palaces of the drug lords; no one will be spared.”