Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan said gamblers and drug traders were making their way into the upcoming city corporation polls, in a bid to survive and reclaim their legitimacy in the society.
The minister said this while launching Narcotics Information Management System (NIMS) and anti-drug TVC programs at the Department of Narcotics Control in Dhaka on Sunday (Jan 12).
On drug dealers, the minister, however, warned that legal action will be taken against those people associated with casino and drug dealing.
The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) supported 'Illicit Drug Eradication and Advance Management through IT (I DREAM) technical project has got underway under the NIMS with an estimated cost of Tk 370 million.
Drug and alcohol test equipment, digital data recorder for criminal, drug detecting device will be procured under the project.
M. WON JIAE, Director, Narcotics Division, Republic of Korea and Jamal Uddin, director general of Narcotics Control were present at the ceremony.
Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal said Yaba pills were not produced in Bangladesh. However, these illicit drugs were coming from neighbouring Myanmar.
Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), Police, RAB, Bangladesh Coast Guard, Navy and intelligence services have been working to prevent Yaba from entering the country at the border areas and entry points.
"We have identified some inaccessible border points; drug traders were using these routes. Until recently, we have mobilized resources and overcome the problem by BGB force deployment and BGB helicopter patrolling," he said.
When asked about crackdown against drugs, the minister said, “We have already made significant breakthroughs in identifying key elements in drug dealing and have already detained people involved in illegal drug trafficking. Our operation will continue.”