Border guards in Bandarban have uncovered a major cross-border smuggling attempt, seizing over fifty thousand methamphetamine pills concealed within the fuel cylinder of an auto-rickshaw. The operation highlights the increasingly inventive methods utilised by trafficking syndicates operating near the frontier.
The security interception took place on Friday afternoon at approximately 4:30 PM. Personnel belonging to the Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) stationed at the Adarshagram checkpoint flagged a three-wheeler passenger vehicle, commonly referred to locally as a CNG, during a routine security sweep. The checkpoint falls under the operational jurisdiction of the Naikhongchhari Battalion, designated as the 11 BGB.
As security personnel carried out a thorough inspection of the vehicle, they noticed irregularities within the compressed natural gas cylinder. Upon closer examination, guards discovered five distinct cartons ingeniously packed inside the cylinder shell. Inside these containers lay a total of 50,070 Burmese Yaba tablets, a potent synthetic narcotic that continues to plague the region.
Authorities immediately secured the illicit cargo and detained the driver at the scene. The arrested individual was identified as 39-year-old Abul Kalam, son of Abul Kashem. Official records indicate he hails from Bara Jamchhari village, situated within the Kachchhapia Union of Ramu Upazila in the neighbouring Cox’s Bazar district. Investigators are currently examining whether the driver acted as an independent courier or part of a wider regional distribution network.
Law enforcement officials confirmed that formal legal proceedings are actively underway. The seized narcotics, the transport vehicle, and the detained suspect are being handed over to the Naikhongchhari Police Station. A formal criminal case under the stringent provisions of the Narcotics Control Act is being filed against the accused.
Lieutenant Colonel Md Faizul Kabir, commander of the 11 BGB Battalion, addressed the media regarding the ongoing security situation. He underscored that regional security forces maintain an unyielding stance against transnational contraband and illicit drug networks.
“Our personnel remain vigilant along the border corridors to curb illegal trafficking and dismantle smuggling routes,” the battalion commander stated. “We enforce a strict zero-tolerance policy against narcotics. Our intelligence-led operations, checkpoints, and patrols will continue unabated to protect public health and maintain regional stability.”
