Wednesday, 5th August 2026
Khabor Wala Desk
Published: 26th April 2026, 5:44 PM
In a major operation targeting the illicit narcotics trade, the Department of Narcotics Control (DNC) apprehended a suspected drug trafficker and seized 30,000 Yaba tablets in Faridpur district. The operation was conducted on the afternoon of Sunday, 26 April 2026, in the Atadi area of Bhanga Upazila, a strategic junction on the Dhaka-Bhanga Expressway.
The individual in custody has been identified as Ashrafuzzaman, also known as Litu, aged 42. He is a resident of Bhabanipur village, located within the Shyamnagar Upazila of Satkhira district.
The interception followed a targeted intelligence-led operation. Law enforcement officials had received a “secret tip-off” regarding a significant consignment of narcotics being transported from Cox’s Bazar towards the southwestern district of Satkhira. Based on this information, DNC operatives established a checkpoint to monitor incoming passenger buses on the expressway.
During the search of a public transport vehicle, officers identified Litu and conducted a thorough inspection of his belongings. The search resulted in the discovery of a large quantity of Yaba—a potent synthetic drug containing a mixture of methamphetamine and caffeine—concealed within a bag.
Initial interrogations suggest that the suspect was acting as a courier for a larger narcotics syndicate. The authorities believe that Litu was tasked with moving the shipment from the border regions of Cox’s Bazar to distribution points in the southwest, leveraging the high-speed road network to reduce transit time.
Local observers and infrastructure experts note that while the inauguration of the Padma Bridge and the Dhaka-Bhanga Expressway has revolutionised communication between the capital and the southern regions, it has also inadvertently facilitated the movement of contraband.
Bhanga has emerged as a significant “transit point” in this illegal trade. As a geographical hub where vehicles from multiple southern districts converge, it offers traffickers various routes to disperse illegal goods. DNC officials confirmed that over the past month, multiple raids conducted on and around the expressway have led to numerous arrests and the recovery of substantial quantities of narcotics.
Law enforcement agencies have observed that traffickers are increasingly employing sophisticated methods to evade detection, including:
Digital Communication: Using encrypted mobile applications to coordinate handovers.
Covert Logistics: Utilising standard passenger transport to blend in with regular commuters.
Identity Concealment: Carrying forged identification documents to hinder background checks.
Shirin Akter, the Deputy Director of the Department of Narcotics Control, emphasised the agency’s commitment to dismantling these trafficking networks. She acknowledged that the Bhanga Expressway has become a preferred corridor for drug cartels but asserted that surveillance has been heightened to counter this trend.
“The Bhanga Expressway is currently being exploited as a major route for narcotics trafficking. We are executing regular operations to dismantle this network, and we will ensure that no individual involved in the transport or sale of illegal drugs evades the law,” she stated.
The DNC has initiated the process of filing a formal case against the suspect at Bhanga Police Station under the Narcotics Control Act. Litu is expected to be produced before the Faridpur court on Monday, 27 April, where the prosecution is likely to seek a remand for further interrogation to identify the primary suppliers in Cox’s Bazar.
The seizure comes amidst growing concern from local community leaders regarding the proliferation of Yaba. Public health advocates warned that the accessibility of such synthetic drugs poses a severe long-term risk to the youth and creates significant socio-economic strain on families across the region. Investigations continue to determine the full extent of the syndicate Litu is alleged to represent.
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