The anti-narcotic drive has had a profound impact on the drug trade in Panchbibi, Joypurhat, near the Indian border. Many listed traders have left the area. However, traders are now calling people over phone to come and collect codeine base cough syrup, Phensedyl.
At the Panchbibi thana, police arrested 150 people for having links to illegal drug trade and sent them to prison.
Meanwhile, top drug trader of north Gopalpur, Rentu Mia, was killed in a ‘gunfight’ with RAB. Local people allege that despite the large number of arrests, the king-pins are still elusive.
Police say, due to the drive against drugs, top traders have left the area.
It’s found that since Panchbibi is near the Indian border, traders can easily bring Phensedyl and other contraband items to send to different parts of the country.
Reportedly, hundreds of youths from Joypurhat, Bogra, Naogaon and Gaibandha came to Panchbibi and openly took Phensedyl.
This has been going on for a long time, locals say.
According to the police, a total of 532 people are engaged in drug business and out of them 20 to 25 are kingpins. One of them, Rentu Miah who was accused in 10 drug related cases, was killed in a ‘shootout’ on May 25 and the rest could not be detained as they fled the district.
A police officer seeking anonymity said, the drugs we seized are coming through Indian border.
He also alleged that local leaders also lobby to release the arrested drug dealers.
Local youths Masud Rana and Mamun Khan said, earlier drug was being sold publicly, but now it has stopped but drug selling is still ongoing.
Panchbibi police station officer-in-charge Farid Hossain said, “We filed 95 cases against the arrested 150 drug dealers.”
He claimed that all the kingpins fled the area and drug sales have fallen drastically.
Jaoypurhat Police Super Rashidul Hasan said, “We are trying to eradicate drug business.”
Claiming to have some success, he said, “In addition to apply force, we are also trying to aware people against this menace.”