Police have detained four people, including an employee of Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), after recovering yaba and equipment allegedly used to consume the drug from a room at the university’s Krishibid Guest House.
The four were detained from Room 6 of the guest house on Tuesday night, according to Sub-Inspector Mahbub of Mymensingh Kotwali Police Station.
Those detained have been identified as Labib Hasan Mithun, a third-class employee of the university’s Department of Agribusiness and Distribution, and three outsiders — Samiul Alim, Samiul Ibne Ashikur Rahman and Soad.
Police said they recovered yaba and a kit used for consuming the drug during the operation. Officers at the scene also alleged that the occupants attempted to dispose of some of the yaba by flushing it down a toilet after police arrived.
The incident came to the attention of the guest house authorities after staff noticed unusual activity around Room 6. According to Aniruddha Sarkar, an assistant professor and officer-in-charge of the Krishibid Guest House, the room had been booked in Mithun’s name.
Sarkar said he received a telephone call from guest house staff after returning home from work. They told him that several unfamiliar people had been making unexpected visits to the room, motorcycles had been parked there and their movements appeared suspicious.
As other guests were staying at the facility, Sarkar advised the staff not to deal with the matter alone in order to avoid any unwanted situation. He then contacted the university’s assistant proctor.
The assistant proctor discussed the matter with the proctor, after which they went to the guest house with members of the proctorial vigilance team. Police were also called to the scene.
When the room was opened, four people were found inside. Sarkar said they included the university employee who had booked the room, an air-conditioning mechanic and two other people who were not known to the university authorities.
He said there was a strong smell inside the room and that the behaviour of those present appeared unusual. Police subsequently searched the bathroom and recovered four to five yaba tablets along with a kit, which was seized as evidence.
University Proctor Professor Md Abdul Alim said the proctorial body and police went to the guest house at around 7.45pm after receiving information that outsiders were staying in one of the rooms.
“After the door was opened and we entered the room, equipment used for consuming yaba was found. Police later recovered yaba and detained the four people,” he said.
The incident has prompted immediate action by the university authorities, who involved the police after guest house staff reported activity they considered suspicious. The presence of other guests at the facility was also a factor in deciding to involve the university’s proctorial team and law enforcement rather than allowing staff to handle the matter themselves.
The four detainees were taken to Mymensingh Kotwali Police Station. Sub-Inspector Mahbub said legal proceedings against them were under way.
The recovered yaba and related equipment have been taken as evidence, while the circumstances surrounding the incident and the involvement of the four detainees will be dealt with through the ongoing legal process.
