Two Local Councillors Arrested in Jessore Border Narcotics Raid

Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) personnel have apprehended four suspected drug traffickers, including two sitting Union Parishad (UP) members, during an anti-smuggling drive along the Sharsha border in Jessore. The paramilitary force recovered 46 Yaba tablets and five mobile phones during the operation. The inclusion of elected local government representatives amongst the detainees has sent shockwaves through the local community.

The operation took place on Wednesday afternoon, 8 July, at the Chandanpur College Crossing area near the Kayba border. Acting on intelligence gathered over a prolonged period, a tactical team from the 21 BGB Battalion intercepted the suspects at a designated checkpoint. Upon conducting a thorough physical search, the border guards discovered the contraband narcotics concealed on their persons.

The BGB identified the detained individuals with their full credentials. Among them is Mostafa Kabir Faruk, 47, a current UP member from the Chanduria area of Kalaroa upazila and son of the late Imanur Rahman. His associate from the same locality, Abdus Salam, 43, son of Mohammad Ali, was also detained. The second public representative is Nizam Uddin, 38, a UP member from the Kadpur area of Kalaroa upazila and son of Robiul Islam. The fourth suspect is Delwar Hossain, 36, also from Kadpur and son of Samshur Rahman.

Security analysts note that the involvement of grassroots public representatives in trans-border narcotics syndicates presents a significant challenge to law enforcement agencies operating along the porous frontier. The border region of Jessore has historically served as a key transit route for illegal goods and synthetic narcotics moving into the country’s interior.

Lieutenant Colonel Mohammad Nafiz Imtiaz Ahsan, the Commanding Officer of the 21 BGB Battalion, confirmed the arrests and stated that the suspects have been handed over to the Sharsha Police Station. A formal case has been initiated against them under the Narcotics Control Act. The commanding officer reiterated that the BGB maintains a strict zero-tolerance policy against drug trafficking, smuggling, and unauthorised border crossings. He added that surveillance and aggressive patrolling will continue to safeguard the nation’s youth from the scourge of illicit substances.