Fake Ministry Sticker Used in Yaba Smuggling, Three Held

A private car displaying a sticker of the Ministry of Home Affairs was allegedly used to transport yaba, with three suspected drug traffickers arrested in Cox’s Bazar’s Ramu upazila. Law enforcement officials said 6,000 yaba tablets were recovered from a hidden compartment inside the vehicle’s dashboard during the operation.

The arrest was made on Wednesday (15 July) at around 10am in the Rubber Garden area of Joarianala Union, located along the Chattogram–Cox’s Bazar highway. The operation was conducted by a team from the Department of Narcotics Control (DNC), Cox’s Bazar district office, following information about a suspected drug shipment being transported towards Dhaka.

The detainees have been identified as Sabbir Hossain, 36, son of Abdul Gafur from Shalukia area in Chauddagram, Cumilla; Sima Islam, 22, daughter of late Shahidul Islam Sobuj from West Nao area in Rupganj, Narayanganj; and Urmi Akter Usha, 18, wife of Shakil Mridha from South Bishil area under Darussalam Police Station in Dhaka.

According to DNC officials, they received confidential information that a group involved in drug trafficking had left Cox’s Bazar town in a private car carrying a consignment of yaba tablets. Acting on the information, a special team took position near the Rubber Garden area of Ramu and began monitoring vehicles travelling along the highway.

During the surveillance operation, officials noticed a private car fitted with a sticker bearing the name of the Ministry of Home Affairs. When the vehicle was signalled to stop, the driver allegedly ignored the instruction and attempted to flee at high speed. After a brief pursuit, the vehicle was intercepted and brought under control.

Deputy Director of the DNC Cox’s Bazar district office, Somen Mondal, said the three occupants initially claimed that they had connections with officials of the Ministry of Home Affairs. However, after verification, no evidence supporting their claims was found.

A subsequent search of the vehicle revealed 6,000 yaba tablets concealed inside the dashboard using a special method. Officials said the suspects had allegedly attempted to use the government-related sticker to avoid suspicion during transportation.

The seized yaba tablets and the private car have been taken into police custody. A case has been filed at Ramu Police Station under relevant sections of the Narcotics Control Act, according to the DNC official.

The incident has once again highlighted concerns over the misuse of official-looking symbols and identities by criminal networks involved in drug trafficking. Law enforcement agencies have repeatedly warned that organised drug groups often adopt such tactics to evade checkpoints and mislead authorities during transportation. Authorities said investigations are continuing to identify whether others are involved in the trafficking network.