Secret Drum Godown Hidden Under Floor Tiles: 2 Arrested in Rajshahi with 3,700 Tapentadol Tablets

Drugs had been stockpiled in a secret godown built with special technique beneath the floor tiles of a house in Katakhali, Rajshahi. Rajshahi Metropolitan Police (RMP) recovered 3,700 tapentadol tablets, Tk 11 lakh 63 thousand 960 in cash from drug sales, and a mobile phone from that godown. Two men have been arrested in the incident.

The arrestees are Md Abul Kalam Azad (44) and Md Manik Islam (44). Both are residents of Emadpur village under Katakhali Police Station in Rajshahi. Police claim both men have multiple drug cases against them at various police stations.

According to an RMP press release, at around 10:45 pm on Wednesday (21 October), a joint team of the police's special anti-narcotics unit and Katakhali Police Station raided Emadpur village. Abul Kalam Azad was arrested with 1 kg 300 grams of cannabis and Tk 3,210 from drug sales. Manik Islam, however, fled after sensing the police presence.

Later, acting on information obtained by interrogating Azad, police raided Manik Islam's house for a second time at around 1:30 am on 22 October. The operation was conducted under the direction of RMP Commissioner Md Fayezul Kabir and led by the Officer-in-Charge of Katakhali Police Station.

Searching the house, police found a secret godown made from a drum, specially constructed beneath the floor tiles. Inside, 3,700 tapentadol tablets were hidden in bags. Cash of Tk 11 lakh 63 thousand 960 and a mobile phone were also seized.

According to the police's preliminary investigation, Manik Islam has long been involved in the drug trade. He faces four drug cases at Shibganj in Chapainawabganj and at Bagha, Boalia and Motihar police stations in Rajshahi. In addition, he has a total of eight cases against him, including three under the Penal Code at Katakhali and Motihar and one arms case at Motihar, police said.

Abul Kalam Azad, too, has eight drug cases against him at various police stations, according to police — meaning both arrestees are known drug traders to law enforcement, police claim.

Two separate cases have been filed against the arrestees at Katakhali Police Station under the Narcotics Control Act. Further legal proceedings against them are under way, police said.

Observers say techniques such as building a secret godown with a drum set beneath the floor point to new concealment methods being adopted by drug traders — and underline the growing importance of intelligence in detecting such hidden stockpiles.