Ruling MP Abdur Rahman Badi, accused of controlling the notorious yaba trade in Cox's Bazar, says the extrajudicial killings of suspected drug dealers “should have started earlier”.
The Awami League lawmaker, however, denies the allegations outright.
Badi's remarks come amid rights bodies’ concerns over the recent killings in what the law enforcers describe as shootouts, also referred as cross-fires.
At least 25 people have been killed in the last seven days during anti-drug raids in different districts of Bangladesh.
In a telephone interview with Bangla Tribune on Tuesday, the MP from Cox’s Bazar- 4 said, “Cross-fires should have started earlier. The law-enforcement agencies should continue with the anti-drug raids in line with the prime minister’s call to bring an end to this menace.”
Describing the ongoing drug war as a “very good” initiative, he said drugs are destroying the society, especially the youth.
The Awami League MP from Cox’s Bazar claimed that BNP and Jamaat-e-Islami activists were involved in smuggling in the drug from Myanmar.
“They have made millions. Besides, teenagers are getting involved. As young as 17 to 18 years old from 30 years old are now involved in drug peddling.”
Speaking to Bangla Tribune, he denied his siblings and relatives being involved in yaba trade.
A combination of methamphetamine and caffeine, yaba made its way into Bangladesh's party scene in early 2000.
A series of raids in 2007 and media coverage on the issue brought the drugs into limelight that year, leading to calls for stopping their use.
Methamphetamine, the key component of Yaba, is highly addictive and causes withdrawal symptoms such as irritability, insomnia, confusion, tremors, convulsions, anxiety, paranoia, and aggressiveness.
Yaba is usually smuggled into Bangladesh through 45 routes of Cox’s Bazar district, bordering Myanmar's Rakhine State, according to intelligence agencies.
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