In the darkness of night near Dhaka, off the south-western coast of Saint Martin’s in the Naf River and Bay of Bengal area, a dangerous trafficking syndicate is operating. With the assistance of local fishermen, influential individuals, and Rohingyas, essential Bangladeshi goods such as rice, lentils, oil, onions, potatoes, fertiliser, and medicines are being sent to Rakhine in Myanmar in exchange for multi-crore BDT quantities of yaba and crystal meth (ice).
Led by the notorious ‘Seven Star Group’, the syndicate conducts covert operations using deep-sea routes, fish landing points, and small trawlers. Women, children, and Rohingyas are exploited for transportation and unloading, while fake abduction dramas are staged to avoid suspicion. For every BDT 2 million worth of Bangladeshi goods sent, the syndicate receives at least BDT 20 million worth of drugs.
According to Bangladesh Border Guard (BGB) and Coast Guard reports, over the past nine months, drugs worth BDT 15.897 billion and Bangladeshi goods worth over BDT 21 million have been seized. Seventy-nine traffickers have been arrested in 99 cases. Yaba seizures alone total BDT 13.980 billion, and 2.946 kg of crystal meth valued at BDT 147.3 million. Alcohol, beer, cannabis, phensedyl, and heroin have also been recovered.
The main trafficking hotspots are Saint Martin’s, Shah Porir Island, Teknaf, and the deep-sea routes off the Cox’s Bazar coast. At least four trafficking points have been identified in Saint Martin’s. Syndicate members include Abdur Rashid, Rashid Member, Rohingya Monaf, Rafik, Abul Kalam, Goura Putu, Zuhur Ahmad, and Saleh Ahmad.
Local authorities are carrying out regular operations. Teknaf UNO Sheikh Ehsan Uddin stated that efforts are underway to rescue detained fishermen and they have been warned against travelling to the Myanmar border. Lieutenant Colonel Ashiqur Rahman, commander of the 2 BGB Battalion, confirmed that strict border surveillance and regular raids will continue.
GLIVE/TSN