A special operation in Chandpur has led to the seizure of 22,120 yaba tablets, with an estimated market value of around Tk 12 million. The raid was conducted by the Department of Narcotics Control (DNC) in the Narullahpur area of Chandpur Sadar on Tuesday morning.
The suspected main operator of the drug network, identified as Farhan Rana, managed to flee after apparently becoming aware of the enforcement operation. Authorities said efforts were continuing to locate and arrest him and others allegedly connected to the network.
According to the DNC, Rana, a known figure from the Koylaghat area of Chandpur municipality, had allegedly been involved in drug trafficking through an organised group for a considerable period. Investigators said he collected yaba from various locations in Cox’s Bazar and Chattogram before transporting the tablets to Chandpur.
The drugs were allegedly distributed to different parts of Chandpur through several associates. His driver, Nur Hossain, was among those named by the authorities as an alleged associate involved in the distribution process.
The latest seizure followed information received by the DNC about the suspected storage of a large quantity of yaba in Narullahpur. Acting on the information, a specialised team went to a rented house belonging to Abul Hashem on Tuesday morning and began a search.
During the operation, the enforcement team reportedly found the tablets concealed inside a bed and within a motorcycle in the room where Rana was staying. A total of 22,120 yaba tablets were recovered from the premises. The motorcycle was also seized as part of the operation.
The quantity recovered indicates that the premises was allegedly being used to store a substantial consignment before it was distributed elsewhere. The DNC estimated the street value of the seized tablets at approximately Tk 12 million.
Rana was reportedly present when the raid began but fled after realising that the authorities had arrived. He therefore could not be detained during the operation.
DNC Assistant Director Md Mizanur Rahman said a search was under way to arrest Rana and other people allegedly involved in the drug network. He added that the authorities were taking the necessary legal steps under the Narcotics Control Act in connection with the seizure.
The operation has also brought renewed attention to the movement of yaba from areas identified as major sources of the drug to local distribution points. According to the information provided by the DNC, the suspected network allegedly relied on transportation from Cox’s Bazar and Chattogram before supplying yaba to different locations in Chandpur.
Authorities are now expected to examine how the seized consignment was transported, where it was intended to be distributed and who else may have been involved in the operation. The recovery of such a large quantity from a single location could also provide investigators with leads as they work to trace the wider network.
The DNC said its efforts to apprehend the fugitive suspect and other alleged associates would continue, while legal proceedings over the seizure were being initiated.
