Awami League Leader Arrested over Backyard Cannabis Cultivation

Police in Manikganj have arrested an Awami League leader and practising lawyer after discovering a massive cannabis plant growing in his backyard. The suspect, Advocate Tohidur Rahman Babu, was apprehended at his residence in the Porra area of Manikganj municipality during a raid. Alongside the drug discovery, police detained a woman from the property on allegations of illicit activities.

The operation took place on Thursday afternoon when a team from Manikganj Sadar Police Station raided the property. The suspect, the son of the late Lutfor Rahman, is a well-known local political figure and an advocate at the Manikganj District Court.

The raid was triggered by a dramatic series of events earlier that day. According to police sources, the husband of the detained woman grew suspicious when his wife failed to return home. He tracked her to Babu’s residence, where he suspected illicit activities were taking place. When the husband attempted to rescue his wife and confront the politician, an altercation ensued. Police allege that Babu attacked the man with a sharp knife, causing injuries.

Following the knife attack, the injured husband immediately contacted Manikganj Sadar Police Station to seek emergency assistance. Officers arrived at the scene shortly afterwards, bringing an end to the confrontation and detaining both Babu and the woman.

During initial interrogation at the scene regarding the assault and the alleged illicit behaviour, Babu made an unexpected confession. He admitted to cultivating cannabis on a plot of land situated directly behind his house. Acting on this lead, officers searched the backyard and discovered a mature, large-scale cannabis plant. Upon uprooting and weighing the illegal haul, police confirmed the plant weighed approximately seven kilogrammes.

MD Monir Hossain, the Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Manikganj Sadar Police Station, confirmed the arrest of the high-profile lawyer and the seizure of the contraband plant. He stated that the authorities are conducting a thorough investigation into the matter. Legal proceedings are currently underway to file formal charges under the Narcotics Control Act alongside relevant sections of the penal code for the physical assault. Both suspects remain in custody while the investigation continues.