Eight Chittagong Police Officers Suspended Over Yaba Scandal

Chittagong has witnessed a major disciplinary action within its police force, as eight officers were temporarily suspended in connection with a Yaba drug seizure incident. The directive came on Monday, 5 January, from the Chittagong Metropolitan Police Commissioner, Hasib Aziz.

The suspension follows serious allegations that the officers released a suspect and misappropriated a substantial quantity of Yaba following a raid. The case was initially filed on 23 December by Chittagong Metropolitan Magistrate S.M. Alauddin Mahmud, acting on his own initiative. The magistrate simultaneously instructed the Deputy Commissioner of Police (South) to submit a detailed report to the court by 5 January.

List of Suspended Police Officers

The controversy arose during a raid on the night of 8 December in the New Bridge area of Chittagong. Officers stopped a bus operated by Desh Travels, travelling from Cox’s Bazar to Dhaka. During the search, a trolley bag in the possession of Cox’s Bazar Police Constable Md. Imtiaz Hossain was found to contain between 80,000 and 100,000 Yaba tablets. However, rather than following the proper legal procedures, the officers allegedly embezzled the drugs. Later that night, at approximately 3:30 a.m., Constable Imtiaz was released without charge.

Police sources confirmed that the suspended officers face allegations under Police Regulations of Bengal (PRB) Rule 880, including misappropriation of seized drugs, providing false or misleading information to senior authorities, and failure to comply with lawful orders.

Further investigation revealed that Constable Imtiaz Hossain had reportedly agreed to transport the Yaba shipment in exchange for payment from individuals in the Kolatoli area of Cox’s Bazar. Without taking any leave, he departed for Dhaka with the contraband. Although the drugs were recovered during the New Bridge checkpoint inspection, he was released. The incident subsequently triggered an internal investigation by the Chittagong Metropolitan Police.

Deputy Commissioner (South) Humayun Kabir Bhuiya stated that preliminary investigations confirmed involvement in the misappropriation of drugs. Consequently, eight officers—including SIs, ASIs, and constables—have been temporarily suspended.

Assistant Commissioner of Police (Media) Aminur Rashid confirmed the suspensions and emphasised that the Chittagong Metropolitan Police is taking stringent measures to ensure accountability within the force.