Youth Arrested with 16 Yaba Tablets in BGB Drive in Barlekha

A youth has been arrested with 16 yaba tablets in a drive by the BGB in Barlekha upazila of Moulvibazar. The drive was reportedly carried out as part of regular anti-drug operations in the border area.

The Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) has long been playing an active role in preventing drug smuggling in Barlekha, a border upazila. The force conducts regular patrols and intelligence surveillance to stop smuggling through the hilly and difficult border routes.

It is being investigated whether the yaba tablets seized from the arrested youth were brought for smuggling purposes. Preparations are reportedly under way to file a case under the Narcotics Control Act at the concerned police station over the incident.

According to locals, yaba entering through the border area creates a risk of spreading among the young generation. They believe such drives create an atmosphere of relief in the area.

The BGB has said that anti-drug and anti-smuggling operations along the border will continue. It has also warned that strict legal action will be taken against those involved in drug smuggling.

Notably, several upazilas of Moulvibazar district share a border with India, and Barlekha's border is about 40 kilometres long. Surveillance along this long and hilly border is always a challenge for the forces.

Earlier too, BGB drives along the Barlekha border at various times seized various smuggled goods including yaba and cannabis, and several smugglers were arrested.

To further strengthen this anti-drug activity, local public representatives and conscious sections of society have emphasised social awareness alongside the administration.

Those concerned are also examining, through interrogation of the arrested youth, whether anyone else from a drug smuggling ring is linked to it.