Woman Held With 110,000 Yaba Tablets In Ukhiya

A young woman has been arrested with 110,000 yaba tablets during a raid by the Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) in Ukhiya, Cox’s Bazar, in what authorities described as a significant anti-narcotics operation. The elite force said the seized drugs, concealed inside a plastic drum, have an estimated street value exceeding Tk 10 million.

The arrest was confirmed on Tuesday by RAB-15 Assistant Director (Media) and Assistant Superintendent of Police A. M. Faruk.

The suspect has been identified as 22-year-old Shakila Sharmin Reshmi, a resident of Hajirpara in Rajapalong Union under Ukhiya Upazila. She is the daughter of the late Abul Kalam and the wife of Mohammad Idris.

According to RAB, the operation was launched after officers received intelligence indicating that a group of drug traffickers had been storing a large quantity of illegal narcotics at a house in the Hajirpara area with the intention of distributing them.

Acting on the information, a specialised team from RAB-15’s CPC-2 unit in Hwaikyang conducted a raid on 6 July. The operation was supported by intelligence gathering and information technology-based surveillance to verify the tip-off before officers moved in.

RAB said the suspected traffickers attempted to flee as soon as they became aware of the presence of law enforcement personnel. During their escape, they abandoned a plastic drum at the scene. Officers arrested Reshmi while other suspects managed to escape.

A subsequent search of the drum led to the recovery of 110,000 yaba tablets, which had been carefully concealed inside. RAB officials described the seizure as one of the notable recoveries in the area and said the quantity of narcotics suggested organised trafficking rather than personal possession.

During preliminary questioning, Reshmi allegedly admitted to being directly involved in the drug trade, according to RAB. Investigators are continuing efforts to identify and arrest the other suspects who fled during the operation.

Legal proceedings have already been initiated under the relevant provisions of the Narcotics Control Act. After the completion of the initial formalities and submission of the case documents, the arrested woman was handed over to Ukhiya Police Station for further investigation.

Ukhiya, located near Bangladesh’s southeastern border, has long been regarded as a sensitive route for yaba smuggling because of its proximity to cross-border trafficking networks. Law enforcement agencies regularly conduct anti-drug operations in the region in an effort to disrupt organised criminal groups involved in the production, transportation and distribution of narcotics.

RAB said its campaign against drug trafficking will continue and that operations are underway to apprehend the remaining suspects linked to the case. The agency reiterated its commitment to taking legal action against those involved in the illegal narcotics trade.