Drug syndicate busted in Dhaka

RAB Saturday busted a drug syndicate and held two men in Dhaka with banned narcotics.

Dhaka, Oct 16 : The Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) Saturday claimed to have busted a drug syndicate, with the detention of two men in Dhaka with banned narcotics worth Tk 12.5 crore.

The detainees have been identified as Mohammad Hasen alias Khokon, 33, the ringleader of the syndicate, and Mohamamd Rafique, 32, son of Muhammad Sultan. Both are from Teknaf upazila of Cox's Bazaar.

Intelligence sources told UNB that the syndicate had been sourcing the banned crystal methamphetamine drugs, popularly called Ice, from a neighbouring country and was under the radar of the spy agencies.

The syndicate was busted on a tip-off. "A

RAB-15 team conducted a drive in the Jatrabari area of the city and arrested Khokon and Rafique," said SP Imran Khan of RAB headquarters (media).

"We have seized 5.50 kgs of crystal methamphetamine drugs from their possession. The market value of the seized drugs is worth Tk 12.5 crore," he added.

The elite force also seized one pistol, five bullets, two mobile phone sets, three SIM cards and Tk 20,000 cash from their possession.

During questioning, the detainees told RAB personnel that some 20-25 people were involved in drug peddling. They used a river route for ferrying the drugs, officials said.

Besides, the gang has members operating out of Uttara, Banani, Gulshan, Dhanmondi and Mohammadpur areas of the city.

"Khokon was wanted in several cases. Efforts are on to take legal steps against the detainees,” said SP Imran.

Crystal methamphetamine is a stimulant drug. It’s stronger, more addictive and has more harmful side effects than the powder form of methamphetamine. It usually comes as small chunky clear crystals that look like ice, reports UNB.