A nephew of a sitting Member of Parliament has been arrested in Lalmonirhat’s Kaliganj upazila following the recovery of 20 bottles of banned Eskuf cough syrup during a Rapid Action Battalion (RAB-13) anti-narcotics operation. An associate was also detained in the same drive.
The arrests were made on Monday afternoon (14 April) as part of an intelligence-led operation targeting alleged drug distribution activities in the area. The two suspects were subsequently produced before a court on Tuesday after preliminary legal procedures.
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Profile of the Accused
| Name | Age | Identity | Allegation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ilias Hossain (Liton) | 48 | Nephew of MP Rokun Uddin Bablu (Lalmonirhat-2) | Alleged key figure |
| Aminur Rahman | 40 | Associate | Alleged accomplice |
Officials confirmed that Ilias Hossain, locally known as Liton, is the son of the elder brother of MP Rokun Uddin Bablu, who represents the Lalmonirhat-2 (Aditmari–Kaliganj) constituency.
Intelligence-Based Operation
According to a press release issued by RAB-13, the operation was conducted in the Uttar Botros Khamari area of Chandrapur Union under Kaliganj upazila following specific intelligence regarding the suspected sale and distribution of controlled substances.
Acting on the tip-off, a specialised RAB team searched the residence of Ilias Hossain. During the search, officers reportedly discovered a white plastic bag concealed inside a cowshed on the property. The bag contained 20 bottles of Eskuf cough syrup, a substance that is legally regulated but widely misused for its intoxicating effects.
Both individuals were arrested at the scene on suspicion of involvement in illicit drug trading.
Following the operation, RAB handed over the accused along with the seized evidence to Kaliganj Police Station after initial questioning.
RAB Confirms Legal Proceedings
RAB-13 Assistant Superintendent of Police and Senior Assistant Director (Media), Biplob Kumar Goswami, confirmed the arrests and said that a case has been filed under the Narcotics Control Act.
He added that the operation forms part of ongoing nationwide drives aimed at dismantling local-level drug networks and curbing the spread of controlled substances such as Eskuf, which are frequently diverted for abuse despite medical classification.
After completion of procedural formalities, the accused were produced before a court on Tuesday afternoon and sent to jail.
Police Statement
Kaliganj Police Station Officer-in-Charge Abu Siddique confirmed receipt of the detainees and the seized substances from RAB.
“We received two individuals along with the recovered items and produced them before the court,” he said. “We are processing the case in accordance with legal procedures.”
He added that the police were not immediately verifying familial or political links as part of the routine arrest documentation.
Ongoing Concerns Over Cough Syrup Abuse
Eskuf and similar codeine-based cough syrups have become a growing concern for law enforcement in Bangladesh due to their widespread misuse as recreational intoxicants, particularly among young people.
Authorities say such substances are often circulated through informal supply chains, contributing to persistent challenges in controlling local drug markets despite repeated crackdowns.
The latest arrest highlights continuing enforcement efforts against narcotics networks, including cases involving individuals linked to influential families, underscoring the complexity of combating drug-related crime at the local level.