A third-gender drug trafficker arrested with a large quantity of cannabis

In a significant anti-narcotics operation, the Bangladesh Army has arrested a third-gender individual in possession of a substantial quantity of cannabis. The operation took place on Wednesday night, 28 January, around 11:30 PM at the Gournadi Bus Stand along the Dhaka-Barishal highway.

The arrested individual has been identified as Kaushik Chandra Sarker, aged 25, a resident of Nabaipur village in Nawabganj Thana, Dinajpur District. Kaushik, the child of Nimai Chandra Sarker, was apprehended by the 62 East Bengal Regiment, operating under the 6th Infantry Brigade of the 7th Infantry Division of the Bangladesh Army.

During the operation, authorities recovered the following items:

Confirming the seizure, OC Md. Tarik Hasan Russel of Gournadi Model Police Station stated on Thursday morning, 29 January, that Kaushik and the confiscated items had been handed over to the police station. A formal case is currently being prepared in connection with the incident.

Preliminary investigations suggest that this drug trafficking ring has been operating for an extended period, distributing narcotics across various locations along the Dhaka-Kuakata route. Law enforcement sources indicate that the network had been under surveillance for some time before the successful operation.

Lieutenant Colonel Foyez Ahmed, commanding officer of the 62 East Bengal Regiment, emphasised the army’s uncompromising stance on drug-related crimes. He stated, “The Bangladesh Army maintains the strictest position against narcotics, and similar operations will continue in the future to ensure public safety and uphold the rule of law.”

This operation highlights the ongoing collaborative efforts between the Bangladesh Army and local police forces to tackle drug trafficking. Authorities have underscored that such initiatives are part of a broader national strategy to prevent the spread of illicit substances, particularly along key transport routes where trafficking is most prevalent.

The arrest of a third-gender individual in such a high-profile narcotics case is also seen as a reminder of the army and law enforcement’s commitment to impartiality, ensuring that justice is applied without discrimination.