10,000 Yaba Seized in Pick-up Raid

A major drug interception in southern Bangladesh has led to the arrest of two alleged traffickers after police recovered 10,000 yaba tablets ingeniously concealed within the bumper of a pickup truck during a routine highway inspection in Chattogram.

The operation was carried out at around 8:00 a.m. on Thursday along the Chittagong–Cox’s Bazar Highway in the Chunti Union area of Lohagara Upazila, in front of the Jangalia Forest Range office. Acting on a tip-off, officers from Lohagara Police Station signalled a white pickup truck travelling from Cox’s Bazar towards Chattogram to stop for inspection.

During the initial search, officers became suspicious of structural modifications to the rear bumper. Upon closer examination, the suspects reportedly admitted that a large consignment of yaba tablets had been hidden inside the vehicle’s bumper compartment. Police subsequently dismantled the section and recovered five polyethylene-wrapped packages concealed within tissue layers.

The arrested individuals have been identified as 39-year-old Monir Hossain, son of Ali Hossain from Khatria village under Gunabati Union in Choudhurygram upazila of Cumilla district, and 30-year-old Riadul Islam, son of Saleh Ahmed from South Kolatoli, Jhilongja area of Cox’s Bazar municipality.

Law enforcement officials confirmed that the recovered shipment contained 10,000 pieces of yaba, a highly addictive synthetic stimulant widely trafficked through Bangladesh’s southeastern border routes. The vehicle used for transportation was also seized as evidence.

According to police, the duo attempted to evade detection by exploiting the busy coastal highway corridor, a known route for narcotics smuggling between Cox’s Bazar and inland districts. However, heightened surveillance and targeted intelligence operations enabled officers to intercept the vehicle before it could proceed further inland.

Case Summary

Officer-in-Charge of Lohagara Police Station stated that the operation was conducted based on confidential intelligence and formed part of an ongoing crackdown on narcotics trafficking along major transport corridors. He added that the suspects had concealed the drugs with unusual sophistication inside the bumper cavity, indicating a planned smuggling attempt rather than an opportunistic act.

The arrested individuals have been handed over to the court, and a case has been filed under the Narcotics Control Act. Authorities have reiterated that anti-narcotics operations in the region will continue with a “zero tolerance” approach, particularly along key transit routes linking coastal and inland districts.